,
that she had omitted to give him that notice; but his abrupt departure from
Windsor, and the manner in which he quitted Mr. Gauntlet, had given her just
grounds to believe, that they had incurred his displeasure; which suspicion was
reinforced by his long silence and neglect from that period, to the present
time; when she observed, it was still farther confirmed, by his forbearing to
inquire for Emilia and her brother: »Judge then, (said she) if I had any reason
to believe that you would be pleased to hear that I was in town. However, I will
not detain you at present, because you seem to be engaged about some particular
business; but, if you will favour me with your company at breakfast to-morrow, I
shall be much pleased, and honoured to boot, by the visit.« So saying, she gave
him a direction to her lodgings; and he took his leave, with a faithful promise
of seeing her at the appointed time.
    He was very much affected with this advance of Sophy, which he considered as
an instance of her uncommon sweetness of temper; he felt strange longings of
returning friendship towards Godfrey; and the remembrance of Emilia melted his
heart, already softened with grief and mortification. Next day, he did not
neglect his engagement, and had the pleasure of enjoying a long conversation
with this sensible young lady, who gave him to understand, that her husband was
with his regiment; and presented to him a fine boy, the first fruits of their
love, whom they had christened by the name of Peregrine, in memory of the
friendship which had subsisted between Godfrey and our youth.
    This proof of their regard, notwithstanding the interruption in their
correspondence, made a deep impression upon the mind of our adventurer, who
having made the warmest acknowledgements for this undeserved mark of respect,
took the child in his arms, and almost devoured him with kisses, protesting
before God, that he should always consider him with the tenderness of a parent.
This was the highest compliment he could pay to the gentle Sophy, who again
kindly chid him for his disdainful and precipitate retreat, immediately after
her marriage; and expressed an earnest desire of seeing him and the captain
reconciled. He assured her, nothing could give him greater satisfaction than
such an event, to which he would contribute all that lay in his power, though he
could not help looking upon himself as injured by captain Gauntlet's behaviour,
which denoted a suspicion of his honour, as well as contempt for his
understanding. The lady undertook for the concession
