aw; I will this
instant send you to your fathers." The youth was not slow in complying
with his desire; his weapon was unsheathed in a moment, and he began
the attack with such unexpected spirit and address, that his adversary,
having made shift with great difficulty to parry the first pass,
retreated a few paces, and demanded a parley, in which he endeavoured
to persuade the young man, that to lay a man of his character under
the necessity of chastising his insolence, was the most rash and
inconsiderate step that he could possibly have taken; but that he had
compassion upon his youth, and was willing to spare him if he would
surrender his sword, and promise to ask pardon in public for the offence
he had given. Pickle was so much exasperated at this unparalleled
effrontery, that, without deigning to make the least reply, he flung
his own hat in the proposer's face, and renewed the charge with such
undaunted agility, that the gamester, finding himself in manifest
hazard of his life, betook himself to his heels, and fled homewards
with incredible speed, being closely pursued by Peregrine, who, having
sheathed his sword, pelted him with stones as he ran, and compelled him
to go, that same day, into banishment from Bath, where he had domineered
so long.

By this achievement, which was the subject of astonishment to all the
company, who had looked upon the fugitive as a person of heroic
courage, our adventurer's reputation was rendered formidable in all
its circumstances; although he thereby disobliged a good many people of
fashion, who had contracted an intimacy of friendship with the exile,
and who resented his disgrace, as if it had been the misfortune of
a worthy man. These generous patrons, however, bore a very small
proportion to those who were pleased with the event of the duel;
because, in the course of their residence at Bath, they had either been
insulted or defrauded by the challenger. Nor was this instance of our
hero's courage unacceptable to the ladies, few of whom could now resist
the united force of such accomplishments. Indeed, neither he nor
his friend Godfrey would have found much difficulty in picking up an
agreeable companion for life; but Gauntlet's heart was pre-engaged
to Sophy; and Pickle, exclusive of his attachment to Emily, which was
stronger than he himself imagined, possessed such a share of ambition
as could not be satisfied with the conquest of any female he beheld at
Bath.

His visits were