 reconveyed to Winchester, and
sends a Letter with a Copy of Verses to his Mistress
 
He was transported with pleasure at this invitation, which he assured her he
should not neglect; and after a little more conversation on general topics, took
his leave of the charming Emilia and her prudent mamma, who had perceived the
first emotions of Mr. Pickle's passion for her daughter, and been at some pains
to inquire about his family and fortune.
    Neither was Peregrine less inquisitive about the situation and pedigree of
his new mistress, who, he learned, was the only daughter of a field-officer, who
died before he had it in his power to make suitable provision for his children;
that the widow lived in a frugal, though decent manner, on the pension, assisted
by the bounty of her relations; that the son carried arms as volunteer in the
company which his father had commanded; and that Emilia had been educated in
London, at the expence of a rich uncle, who was seized with the whim of marrying
at the age of fifty- in consequence of which, his niece had returned to her
mother, without any visible dependance, except on her own conduct and
qualifications.
    This account, though it could not diminish his affection, nevertheless
alarmed his pride; for his warm imagination had exaggerated all his own
prospects; and he began to fear, that his passion for Emilia might he thought to
derogate from the dignity of his situation. The struggle between his interest
and love produced a perplexity which had an evident effect upon his behaviour;
he became pensive, solitary and peevish, avoided all publick diversions, and
grew so remarkably negligent in his dress, that he was scarce distinguishable by
his own acquaintance. This contention of thoughts continued several weeks, at
the end of which the charms of Emilia triumphed over every other consideration;
and having received a supply of money from the commodore, who acted towards him
with great generosity, he ordered Pipes to put up some linnen, and other
necessaries, in a sort of knapsack which he could conveniently carry, and thus
attended set out early one morning on foot for the village where his charmer
lived, at which he arrived before two o'clock in the afternoon; having chosen
this method of travelling, that his rout might not be so easily discovered, as
it must have been, had he hired horses, or taken a place in the stage-coach.
    The first thing he did was to secure a convenient lodging at the inn where
he dined; then he shifted himself, and according to the direction he had
received, went to
