 the next room, let him blood immediately,
without hesitation, being always provided with a case of lancets, against all
accidents on the road. To this foresight our hero, in all probability, was
indebted for his life. By virtue of a very copious evacuation, he recovered the
use of his senses; but the complication of fatigues, and violent transports
which he had undergone, brewed up a dangerous fever in his blood; and a
physician being called from the next market-town, several days elapsed before he
would answer for his life.
 

                                 Chapter LXXXV

Peregrine sends a Message to Mrs. Gauntlet, who rejects his Proposal. He repairs
to the Garison
 
At length, however, his constitution overcame his disease, though not before it
had in a great measure tamed the fury of his disposition, and brought him to a
serious consideration of his conduct. In this humiliation of his spirits, he
reflected with shame and remorse upon his treachery to the fair, the innocent
Emilia; he remembered his former sentiments in her favour, as well as the
injunctions of his dying uncle; he recollected his intimacy with her brother,
against which he had so basely sinned; and revolving all the circumstances of
her conduct, found it so commendable, spirited, and noble, that he deemed her an
object of sufficient dignity to merit his honourable addresses, even though his
duty had not been concerned in the decision: but, obligated as he was, to make
reparation to a worthy family, which he had so grosly injured, he thought he
could not manifest his reformation too soon; and, whenever he found himself able
to hold the pen, wrote a letter to Mrs. Gauntlet, wherein he acknowledged, with
many expressions of sorrow and contrition, that he had acted a part altogether
unbecoming a man of honour, and should never enjoy the least tranquillity of
mind, until he should have merited her forgiveness. He protested, that although
his happiness intirely depended upon the determination of Emilia, he would even
renounce all hope of being blessed with her favour, if she could point out any
other method of making reparation to that amiable young lady, but by laying his
heart and fortune at her feet, and submitting himself to her pleasure during the
remaining part of his life. He conjured her, therefore, in the most pathetic
manner, to pardon him, in consideration of his sincere repentance, and use her
maternal influence with her daughter, so as that he might be permitted to wait
upon her with a wedding-ring, as soon as his health would allow him to undertake
the journey.
    This explanation
