 over his head; and that, although he had already
made a will in his favour, he should never be satisfied, nor easy in his mind,
so long as he remained deprived of his liberty, and wanted any of the
conveniences of life.
    Cadwallader, who by this time assisted at their councils, and was best
acquainted with the peculiarity and unbending disposition of the youth,
proposed, that seeing he was so averse to obligations, Mr. Hatchway should
purchase of him the garison with its appendages, which, at a moderate price,
would sell for more money than would be sufficient to discharge his debts; and
that, if the servile subordination of the army did not suit his inclinations, he
might, with his reversion, buy a comfortable annuity, and retire with him to the
country, where he might live absolutely independent, and entertain himself, as
usual, with the ridiculous characters of mankind.
    This plan was, to Pickle, less disagreeable than any other project which had
as yet been suggested; and the lieutenant declared himself ready to execute his
part of it, without delay: but the soldier was mortified at the thoughts of
seeing his assistance unnecessary, and eagerly objected to the retirement, as a
scheme that would blast the fairest promises of fame and fortune, and bury his
youth and talents in solitude and obscurity. This earnest opposition on the part
of Gauntlet, hindered our adventurer from forming any immediate resolution:
which was also retarded by his unwillingness to part with the garrison upon any
terms, because he looked upon it as a part of his inheritance, which he could
not dispose of, without committing an insult upon the memory of the deceased
commodore.
 

                                  Chapter CXI

He is engaged in a very extraordinary Correspondence, which is interrupted by a
very unexpected Event
 
While this affair was in agitation, the captain told him, in the course of
conversation, that Emilia was arrived in town, and had enquired about Mr. Pickle
with such an eagerness of concern, as seemed to proclaim that she was in some
measure informed of his misfortune: he, therefore, desired to know if he might
be allowed to make her acquainted with his situation, provided he should be
again importuned by her on that subject, which he had at first industriously
waved.
    This proof, or rather presumption of her sympathising regard, did not fail
to operate powerfully upon the bosom of Peregrine, which was immediately filled
with those tumults which love, ill stifled, frequently excites. He observed,
that his disgrace was such as could not be effectually concealed; therefore he
saw no reason for depriving himself of Emilia
