irst country-dance was no
sooner concluded, than one of them, with his partner, took place of
Peregrine and his mistress, contrary to the regulation of the ball. Our
lover, imputing his behaviour to inadvertency, informed the gentleman of
his mistake, and civilly desired he would rectify his error. The other
told him, in an imperious tone, that he wanted none of his advice, and
bade him mind his own affairs. Peregrine answered, with some warmth, and
insisted upon his right: a dispute commenced, high words, ensued, in the
course of which, our impetuous youth hearing himself reviled with the
appellation of scoundrel, pulled off his antagonist's periwig, and
flung it in his face. The ladies immediately shrieked, the gentlemen
interposed, Emilia was seized with a fit of trembling, and conducted
to her seat by her youthful admirer, who begged pardon for having
discomposed her, and vindicated what he had done, by representing the
necessity he was under to resent the provocation he had received.

Though she could not help owning the justice of his plea, she not the
less concerned at the dangerous situation in which he had involved
himself, and, in the utmost consternation and anxiety, insisted upon
going directly home: he could not resist her importunities; and her
cousin being determined to accompany her, he escorted to their lodgings,
where he wished them good night, after having, in order to quiet their
apprehensions, protested, that if his opponent was satisfied, he should
never take any step towards the prosecution of the quarrel. Meanwhile
the assembly-room became a of scene of tumult and uproar: the person who
conceived himself injured, seeing Peregrine retire, struggled with his
companions, in order to pursue and take satisfaction of our hero, whom
he loaded with terms of abuse, and challenged to single combat. The
director of the ball held a consultation with all the subscribers who
were present; and it was determined, by a majority of votes, that the
two gentlemen who had occasioned the disturbance should be desired to
withdraw. This resolution being signified to one of the parties then
present, he made some difficulty of complying, but was persuaded to
submit by his two confederates, who accompanied him to the street-door,
where he was met by Peregrine on his return to the assembly.

This choleric gentleman, who was a country squire, no sooner saw his
rival, than he began to brandish his cudgel in a menacing posture