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The soldier's refusal, which was matter of astonishment to Trunnion,
increased his inclination to assist him; and, on pretence of
acquitting his own character, he urged his beneficence with such
obstinacy, that Gauntlet, afraid of disobliging him, was in a manner
compelled to receive a draft for the money; for which he subscribed
an ample discharge, and immediately transmitted the order to his
mother, whom at the same time he informed of the circumstances by
which they had so unexpectedly gained this accession of fortune.
Such a piece of news could not fail of being agreeable to Mrs.
Gauntlet, who by the first post wrote a polite letter of acknowledgment
to the commodore; another to her own son, importing that she had
already sent the draft to a friend in London, with directions to
deposit it in the hands of a certain banker, for the purchase of
the first ensigncy to be sold; and she took the liberty of sending
a third to Peregrine, couched in very affectionate terms, with a
kind postscript, signed by Miss Sophy and his charming Emily.


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