 to extort a sum of
money from him, by way of composition; and, under pretence of hushing up an
affair, which might (otherwise) give scandal an opportunity to be free with her
reputation, signified to her hostess, a desire of seeing matters compromised.
    The prudent milliner applauded her moderation, by which she foresaw that her
own character would escape censure; and being favoured with her ladyship's
confidence, went out immediately, in order to communicate her proposals to the
prisoner; but while these deliberations were upon the carpet, he had employed
his rhetoric so successfully upon his guard, that they were prevailed upon to
set him at liberty, and make their own retreat, at the same time. So that her
ladyship's scheme proved abortive, and she was fain to retire to her own house,
meditating further vengeance upon the fugitive, who did not think proper to
stand the brunt of her indignation; but decamped that night for his native
country, in which he happily secured his retreat, fully persuaded, that his ruin
had been planned by a powerful confederacy in England, of which my lady was the
chief instrument.
    Mean while, our young gentleman and his tutor enjoyed the consternation and
perplexity which they had produced, as an wholesome chastisement bestowed upon a
profligate virago, lost to all sense of oeconomy and decorum, and a just
punishment inflicted upon an infamous adventurer, who not only pillaged, but
also disgraced the company by whom he was caressed. It was in consequence of
this adventure, that Peregrine conceived a very ludicrous project, the execution
of which furnished entertainment and admiration to all the fashionable people in
town. The appearance of Cadwallader in a female dress, was so uncouth and
preternatural, that the good milliner, who chanced to be favoured with a glimpse
of him, as he went up stairs with his supposed gallant, was not only astonished,
but affrighted at the peculiarity of his countenance; and notwithstanding her
well-tried discretion, which had never permitted her curiosity to exceed the
bounds of complaisance, she could not forbear calling her son Pickle into
another room, after her ladyship's retreat; and asking with manifest marks of
confusion and disquiet, if the person whom he had brought into her house, was
really and bona fide a woman and a christian; at the same time, expressing her
suspicion, from the disposition of his companion's wrinkles, and the bristles
that appeared upon her chin, that she was no better than a witch or a conjurer,
whom he had employed to embroil and expose her customers by the art of sorcery,
for
