The lieutenant assured him, that for his own part he had no
intention to offer him the least violence; but, at the same time, he
represented to him the danger of incensing the commodore, who was
already almost distracted on account of his absence: and, in short,
conveyed his arguments, which were equally obvious and valid, in
such expressions of friendship and respect, that Peregrine yielded
to his remonstrances, and promised to accompany him next day to
Winchester.
Hatchway, overjoyed at the success of his negotiation, went
immediately to the hostler and bespoke a post-chaise for Mr. Pickle
and his man with whom he afterwards indulged himself in a double
can of rumbo, and, when the night was pretty far advanced, left the
lover to his repose, or rather to the thorns of his own meditation;
for he slept not one moment, being incessantly tortured with the
prospect of parting with his divine Emilia, who had now acquired
the most absolute empire over his soul. One minute he proposed to
depart early in the morning, without seeing this enchantress, in
whose bewitching presence he durst not trust his own resolution;
then the thoughts of leaving her in such an abrupt and disrespectful
manner interposed in favour of his love and honour.
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