"--"I think so, too," said Emilia, "for
I never saw Mr. Pickle in higher spirits." This ironical encomium
completed his confusion: he affected to smile, but it was a smile
of anguish, and in his heart he cursed the vivacity of both. He
could not for his soul recollect himself so as to utter one connected
sentence; and the suspicion that they observed every circumstance
of his behaviour, threw such a damp on his spirits that he was quite
overwhelmed with shame and resentment, when Sophy, casting her eyes
towards the gate, said, "Yonder is your servant, Mr. Pickle, with
another man who seems to have a wooden leg." Peregrine started
at this intelligence, and immediately underwent sundry changes of
complexion, knowing that his fate, in a great measure, depended
upon the information he would receive from his friend.
Hatchway, advancing to the company, after a brace of sea bows to
the ladies, took the youth aside, and put the commodore's letter
into his hand, which threw him into such an agitation that he
could scarce pronounce, "Ladies, will you give me leave?" When, in
consequence of their permission, he attempted to open the billet,
he fumbled with such manifest disorder, that his mistress, who
watched his motions, began to think that there was something very
interesting in the message; and so much was she affected with his
concern, that she was fain to turn her head another way, and wipe
the tears from her lovely eyes.
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