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 her pension, assisted by the bounty
of her relations; that the son carried arms as a volunteer in the
company which his father had commanded; and that Emilia had been
educated in London, at the expense of a rich uncle, who was seized
with the whim of marrying at the age of fifty-five; in consequence
of which his niece had returned to her mother, without any visible
dependence, 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 be 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 public diversions; and grew so remarkably
negligent in his dress, that he was scarce distinguishable by his
own acquaintance.
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