 sorrow or rejoicing. The attorney signified a suspicion of Hatchway's
being married to Miss Pickle, and that the firing and illumination were in
honour of the nuptials: upon which Gamaliel discovered some faint signs of
emotion, and taking the pipe from his mouth, gave it as his opinion, that his
sister was brought to bed.
    While they were thus bewildered in the maze of their own imaginations, a
company of countrymen, who sat drinking in the kitchen, and whose legs were more
ready than their invention, sallied out to know the meaning of these
exhibitions; and understanding that there was a butt of strong beer abroach in
the yard, to which they were invited by the servants, saved themselves the
trouble and expence of returning to spend the evening at the public house, and
listed themselves under the banner of Tom Pipes, who presided as director of
this festival.
    The news of Peregrine's return being communicated to the parish, the parson
and three or four neighbouring gentlemen, who were well-wishers to our hero,
immediately repaired to the garison, in order to pay their compliments on this
happy event; and being detained to supper, an elegant entertainment was prepared
by the direction of Miss July, who was an excellent housewife; and the commodore
was so invigorated with joy, that he seemed to have renewed his age.
    Among those who honoured the occasion with his presence was Mr. Clover, the
young gentleman that made his addresses to Peregrine's sister; and his heart was
so big with his passion, that while the rest of the company were ingrossed by
their cups, he seized an opportunity of our hero's being detached from the
conversation, and in the impatience of his love, conjured him to consent to his
happiness; protesting, that he would comply with any terms of settlement that a
man of his fortune could embrace, in favour of a young lady who was absolute
mistress of his affection.
    Our youth thanked him very politely for his favourable sentiments and
honourable intention towards his sister, and told him, that at present he saw no
reason to obstruct his desire; that he would consult Julia's own inclinations,
and confer with him about the means of gratifying his wish: but, in the mean
time, begg'd to be excused from discussing any point of such importance to them
both, and reminding him of the jovial purpose on which they were happily met,
promoted such a quick circulation of the bottle, that their mirth grew noisy and
obstreperous: they broke forth into repeated peals of laughter, without any
previous incitement, except that of
