 his full length upon the floor, had not he
retired very abruptly into another room, where he threw himself upon a couch,
and fainted.
    In this condition he was found by his friend, who seeing him withdraw with
such symptoms of disorder, followed him thither; and when he recovered the use
of his faculties, pressed him to make use of a bed in that house, rather than
expose himself to the night air, by going home to his own lodgings: but not
being able to prevail upon him to accept the offer, he wrapped him up in a
cloak, and conducting him to the inn where he lodged, helped him to undress and
go to bed, where he was immediately seized with a violent fit of the ague.
Godfrey behaved with great tenderness, and would have actually bore him company
all night, notwithstanding the circumstances of his own situation, had not his
friend insisted upon his returning to the company, and making his apology to his
partner for his sudden departure.
    This was a step absolutely necessary towards maintaining the quiet of the
assembly, which he found in great consternation, occasioned by his absence; for
some of the ladies seeing the bridegroom follow the stranger in his retreat, the
meaning of which they did not comprehend, began to be afraid of a quarrel; and
Emilia, upon pretence of that supposition, was so much alarmed, that she could
not stand, and was fain to have recourse to a smelling bottle.
    The bride, who understood the whole mystery, was the only person that acted
with deliberation and composure; she imputed Emilia's disorder to the right
cause, which was no other than concern for the condition of her lover, and
assured the ladies there was nothing extraordinary in Mr. Pickle's going off, he
being subject to fainting fits, by which he was often overtaken without any
previous notice. The arrival of Gauntlet confirmed the truth of this
declaration; he made an apology to the company, in the name of his friend, who,
he told them, was suddenly taken ill; and they returned to their diversion of
dancing, with this variation: Emilia was so disordered and fatigued, that she
begged to be excused from continuing the exercise; and Peregrine's partner being
disengaged, was paired with the young officer for whom she was originally
designed.
    Mean while, the bride withdrew into another apartment, with her sister, and
expostulated with her upon her cruelty to Mr. Pickle, assuring her, from
Godfrey's information, that he had undergone a severe fit on her account, which,
in all likelihood
