Gauntlet, who had seen undoubted proofs of Peregrine's courage,
which had considerably raised him in his esteem, and had sense enough
to perceive that this concession was not owing to any sordid or
sinister motive, embraced his offer with demonstrations of infinite
satisfaction. When he understood the terms on which Mr. Pickle
was with his sister, he proffered his service in his turn, either
as agent, mediator, or confidant: nay, to give this new friend a
convincing proof of his sincerity, he disclosed to him a passion
which he had for some time entertained for his cousin Miss Sophy,
though he durst not reveal his sentiments to her father, lest he
should be offended at his presumption, and withdraw his protection
from the family.
Peregrine's generous heart was wrung with anguish, when he understood
that this young gentleman, who was the only son of a distinguished
officer, had carried arms for the space of five years, without
being able to obtain a subaltern's commission, though he always
had behaved with remarkable regularity and spirit, and, acquired
the friendship and esteem of all the officers under whom he had
served.
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