 the affair to him
who, she knew, would infallibly exert himself for his own as well as her
satisfaction. She was not deceived in her opinion; he went up to her again at
the staircase, and as they were unprovided with a male attendant, insisted upon
squiring the ladies to their lodgings. Emilia saw his drift, which was no other
than to know where she lived; and though she approved of his finesse, thought it
was incumbent upon her for the support of her own dignity to decline his
civility: she therefore thanked him for his polite offer, but would by no means
consent to his giving himself such unnecessary trouble, especially as they had a
very little way to walk. He was not repulsed by this refusal, the nature of
which he perfectly understood; nor was she sorry to see him persevere in his
determination; he therefore accompanied them in their return, and made divers
efforts to speak with Emilia in particular: but she had a spice of the coquette
in her disposition, and being determined to whet his impatience, artfully
baffled all his endeavours, by keeping her companion continually engaged in the
conversation, which turned upon the venerable appearance and imperial situation
of the place. Thus tantalized, he lounged with them to the door of the house in
which they lodged, when his mistress perceiving by the countenance of her
comrade, that she was on the point of desiring him to walk in, checked her
intention with a frown, then turning to Mr. Pickle, dropped him a very formal
curt'sey, seized the other young lady by the arm, and saying »Come, cousin
Sophy,« vanished in a moment.
 

                                  Chapter XXVI

After sundry unsuccessful Efforts, he finds Means to come to an Explanation with
his Mistress; and a Reconciliation ensues
 
Peregrine, disconcerted at their sudden disappearance, stood for some minutes
gaping in the street, before he could get the better of his surprize; and then
deliberated with himself whether he should demand immediate admittance to his
mistress, or choose some other method of application. Piqued at her abrupt
behaviour, though pleased with her spirit, he set his invention to work, in
order to contrive some means of seeing her; and in a fit of musing arrived at
the inn, where he found his companions whom he had left at the Castle-gate. They
had already made inquiry about the ladies, in consequence of which, he learnt
that Miss Sophy was daughter of a gentleman in town to whom his mistress was
related; that an intimate friendship subsisted between the two young ladies;
that Emilia had lived about a month with her
