The young lady, having been very much disobliged at his mortifying
neglect of her brother's letter, had summoned all her own pride
and resolution to her aid; and, by means of a happy disposition,
so far overcame her chagrin at his indifference, that she was able
to behave in his presence with apparent tranquility and ease. She
was even pleased to find he had, by accident, chosen a time for
his visit when she was surrounded by two or three young gentlemen,
who professed themselves her admirers. Our gallant was no sooner
announced, than she collected all her coquetry, put on the gayest
air she could assume, and contrived to giggle just as he appeared
at the room door. The compliments of salutation being performed,
she welcomed him to England in a careless manner, asked the news
of Paris, and, before he could make any reply, desired one of the
other gentlemen to proceed with the sequel of that comical adventure,
in the relation of which he had been interrupted.
Peregrine smiled within himself at this behaviour, which, without
all doubt, he believed she had affected to punish him for his unkind
silence while he was abroad, being fully persuaded that her heart
was absolutely at his devotion.
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