Upon which, Mr. Hatchway assured him, that she was a young woman of
as good a family as any in the county; and, after having prepossessed
him in her favour, ventured, out of the zeal of his friendship, to
tell who she was. Wherefore, the discovery was not to be imputed
to any other cause; and he hoped Mr. Pickle would acquit him of
ail share in the transaction.
Peregrine was very well pleased to be thus undeceived; his countenance
immediately cleared up, the formality of his behaviour relaxed into
his usual familiarity; he asked pardon for his unmannerly neglect
of Godfrey's letter, which he protested, was not owing to any
disregard, or abatement of friendship, but to a hurry of youthful
engagements, in consequence of which he bad procrastinated his
answer from time to time, until he was ready to return in person.
The young soldier was contented with this apology and, as Pickle's
intention, with respect to his sister, was still dubious and
undeclared, he did not think it was incumbent upon him, as yet,
to express any resentment on that score; but was wise enough to
foresee, that the renewal of his intimacy with our young gentleman
might be the means of reviving that flame which had been dissipated
by a variety of new ideas.
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