, that the cambrick could not conceal or contain the snowy
hemispheres, that rose like a vision of paradise to his view.
    While he was almost fainting with unutterable delight, she seemed ready to
sink under the tumults of tenderness and confusion; when our hero, perceiving
her condition, obeyed the impulse of his love, and circled the charmer in his
arms, without suffering the least frown or symptom of displeasure. Not all the
pleasures of his life, had amounted to the ineffable joy of this embrace, in
which he continued for some minutes totally entranced. He fastened upon her
pouting lips, with all the eagerness of rapture; and, while his brain seemed to
whirl round with transport, exclaimed in a delirium of bliss, »Heaven and earth!
this is too much to bear!«
    His imagination was accordingly relieved, and his attention in some measure
divided, by the interposition of Sophy, who kindly chid him for his having
overlooked his old friends: thus accosted, he quitted his delicious armful, and,
saluting Mrs. Gauntlet, asked pardon for his neglect; observing, that such
rudeness was excuseable, considering the long and unhappy exile which he had
suffered, from the jewel of his soul. Then turning to Emilia, »I am come, madam,
(said he) to claim the performance of your promise, which I can produce under
your own fair hand: you may, therefore, lay aside all superfluous ceremony and
shyness, and crown my happiness without farther delay; for, upon my soul! my
thoughts are wound up to the last pitch of expectation, and I shall certainly
run distracted, if I am doomed to any term of probation.«
    His mistress, having by this time recollected herself, replied with a most
exhilerating smile, »I ought to punish you, for your obstinacy, with the
mortification of a twelve-months' trial; but 'tis dangerous to tamper with an
admirer of your disposition, and therefore, I think, I must make sure of you
while it is in my power.« »You are willing, then, to take me for better for
worse, in presence of heaven and these witnesses?« cried Peregrine, kneeling,
and applying her hand to his lips. At this interrogation, her features softened
into an amazing expression of condescending love; and while she darted a
side-glance, that thrilled to his marrow, and heaved a sigh more soft than
zephyr's balmy wing, her answer was, »Why - ay -- and heaven grant me patience
to bear the humours of such a yoke-
