his determination, left
him next day to his own inventions. Thus relinquished to his own ideas,
he doubled his assiduity, and practised every method his imagination
could suggest, in order to promote his plan.

Pipes was stationed all day long within sight of her door, that he might
be able to give his master an account of her motions; but she never
went abroad except to visit in the neighbourhood, and was always housed
before Peregrine could be apprised of her appearance. He went to church
with a view of attracting her notice, and humbled his deportment before
her; but she was so mischievously devout as to look at nothing but
her book, so that he was not favoured with one glance of regard. He
frequented the coffee-house, and attempted to contract an acquaintance
with Miss Sophy's father, who, he hoped, would invite him to his house:
but this expectation was also defeated. That prudent gentleman looked
upon him as one of those forward fortune-hunters who go about the
country seeking whom they may devour, and warily discouraged all his
advances. Chagrined by so many unsuccessful endeavours, he began to
despair of accomplishing his aim; and, as the last suggestion of his
art, paid off his lodging, took horse at noon, and departed, in all
appearance, for the place from whence he had come. He rode, but a few
miles, and in the dusk of the evening returned unseen, alighted at
another inn, ordered Pipes to stay within doors, and keeping himself
incognito, employed another person as a sentinel upon Emilia.

It was not long before he reaped the fruits of his ingenuity. Next day
in the afternoon he was informed by his spy that the two young ladies
were gone to walk in the park, whither he followed them on the instant,
fully determined to come to an explanation with his mistress, even in
presence of her friend, who might possibly be prevailed upon to interest
herself in his behalf.

When he saw them at such a distance that they could not return to
town before he should have an opportunity of putting his resolution in
practice, he mended his pace, and found means to appear before them
so suddenly, that Emilia could not help expressing her surprise in a
scream. Our lover, putting on a mien of humility and mortification,
begged to know if her resentment was implacable; and asked why she had
so cruelly refused to grant him the common privilege that every
criminal enjoyed. "Dear Miss Sophy," said he, addressing himself to her
compa