
third eruption of laughter which they forthwith underwent.
    Pipes was dismissed with many menacing injunctions, to beware of such
conduct for the future; Emilia stood with a confusion of joy and tenderness in
her countenance; Peregrine's eyes kindled into rapture, and when Miss Sophy
pronounced the sentence of reconciliation, advanced to his mistress, saying,
»Truth is mighty, and will prevail;« then clasping her in his arms, very
impudently ravished a kiss, which she had not power to refuse. Nay, such was the
impulse of his joy, that he took the same freedom with the lips of Sophy,
calling her his kind mediatrix and guardian angel, and behaved with such
extravagance of transport, as plainly evinced the fervour and sincerity of his
love.
    I shall not pretend to repeat the tender protestations that were uttered on
one side, or describe the bewitching glances of approbation with which they were
received on the other; suffice it to say, that the endearing intimacy of their
former connexion was instantly renewed, and Sophy, who congratulated them upon
the happy termination of their quarrel, favoured with their mutual confidence.
In consequence of this happy pacification, they deliberated upon the means of
seeing each other often; and as he could not without some previous introduction
visit her openly at the house of her relation, they agreed to meet every
afternoon in the park till the next assembly, at which he would solicit her as a
partner, and she be unengaged, in expectation of his request. By this connexion
he would be intitled to visit her next day, and thus an avowed correspondence
would of course commence. This plan was actually put in execution, and attended
with a circumstance which had well nigh produced some mischievous consequence,
had not Peregrine's good fortune been superior to his discretion.
 

                                 Chapter XXVII

He atchieves an Adventure at the Assembly, and quarrels with his Governor
 
At the assembly, were no fewer than three gentlemen of fortune, who rivalled our
lover in his passion for Emilia, and who had severally begged the honour of
dancing with her upon that occasion. She had excused herself to each, on
pretence of a slight indisposition that she foresaw would detain her from the
ball, and desired they would provide themselves with other partners. Obliged to
admit her excuse, they accordingly followed her advice; and after they had
engaged themselves beyond the power of retracting, had the mortification to see
her there unclaimed.
    They in their turns made up to her, and expressed their surprize and concern
at finding her in the assembly unprovided, after she had declined their
invitation; but she told them that her cold
