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Peregrine could not help yielding to their remonstrances and united
complaisance, for which he thanked them in very polite terms; and
his passion seeming to subside, proposed that they should amuse
themselves in walking round the ramparts. He hoped to enjoy some
private conversation with his admired Fleming, who had the whole
day behaved with remarkable reserve. The proposal being embraced,
he, as usual, handed her into the street, and took all opportunities
of promoting his suit; but they were attended so closely by her
father-confessor, that he foresaw it would be impracticable to
accomplish his aim without the connivance of that ecclesiastic. This
he was obliged to purchase with another purse, which he offered, and
was accepted, as a charitable atonement for his criminal behaviour
during the interview which the friar had procured for the good of
his soul. The benefaction was no sooner made, than the mendicant
edged off by little and little, till he joined the rest of the
company, leaving his generous patron at full liberty to prosecute
his purpose.


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