 the field, owned that till then he had
misunderstood his character, and begged that he would honour him with his
intimacy and correspondence.
    Gauntlet, who had seen undoubted proofs of Peregrine's courage, which had
considerably raised him in his esteem, and had sense enough to perceive that
this concession was not owing to any sordid or sinister motive, embraced his
offer with demonstrations of infinite satisfaction; and when he understood the
terms on which Mr. Pickle was with his sister, proffered his service in his
turn, either as agent, mediator, or confidant: nay, to give this new friend a
convincing proof of his sincerity, he disclosed to him a passion which he had
for some time entertained for his cousin Miss Sophy, though he durst not reveal
his sentiments to her father, lest he should be offended at his presumption, and
withdraw his protection from the family.
    Peregrine's generous heart was wrung with anguish, when he understood that
this young gentleman, who was the only son of a distinguished officer, had
carried arms for the space of five years, without being able to obtain a
subaltern's commission, though he had always behaved with remarkable regularity
and spirit, and acquired the friendship and esteem of all the officers under
whom he had served.
    He would, at that time, with the utmost pleasure, have shared his finances
with him; but as he would not run the risk of offending the young soldier's
delicacy of honour, by a premature exertion of his liberality, he resolved to
insinuate himself into an intimacy with him, before he would venture to take
such freedoms; and with that view pressed Mr. Gauntlet to accompany him to the
garison, where he did not doubt of having influence enough to make him a welcome
guest. Godfrey thanked him very courteously for his invitation, which he said he
could not immediately accept, but promised if he would favour him with a letter,
and fix the time at which he proposed to set out for France, he would endeavour
to visit him at the commodore's habitation, and from thence give him a convoy to
Dover. This new treaty being settled, and a dossil of lint with a snip of
plaister applied to our adventurer's wound, he parted from the brother of his
dear Emilia, to whom and his friend Sophy he sent his kindest wishes; and having
lodged one night upon the road, arrived next day in the afternoon at the
garison, where he found all his friends in good health, and overjoyed at his
return.
    The commodore, who was by this time turned of seventy
