Peregrine, who still retained in his memory the substance of this
unlucky epistle, as well as the verses which were inclosed, could
recollect no particular expression which could have justly given
the least umbrage; and therefore, in the agonies of perplexity,
begged that the whole might be submitted to the judgment of Miss
Sophy, and faithfully promised to stand to her award. In short, this
proposal was, with seeming reluctance, embraced by Emilia, and an
appointment made to meet next day in the place, whither both parties
were desired to come provided with their credentials, according to
which definitive sentence would be pronounced.
Our lover, having succeeded thus far, overwhelmed Sophy with
acknowledgments on account of her generous mediation; and in the
course of their walk, which Emilia was now in no hurry to conclude,
whispered a great many tender protestations in the ear of his
mistress, who nevertheless continued to act upon the reserve, until
her doubts should be more fully resolved.
Mr. Pickle, having found means to amuse them in the fields till the
twilight, was obliged to wish them good even, after having obtained
a solemn repetition of their promise to meet him at the appointed
time and place, and then retreated to his apartment, where he
spent the whole night in various conjectures on the subject of the
letter, the Gordian knot of which he could by no means untie.
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