and insisted upon his breaking off an
intercourse with that girl who had seduced his youth, as he valued the
continuance of her affection and her husband's regard.

As our lover's own ideas of generosity were extremely refined, he was
shocked at the indelicate insinuations of Mrs. Trunnion, and felt all
the pangs of an ingenuous mind that labours under obligations to a
person whom it contemns. Far from obeying her injunction, or humbling
himself by a submissive answer to her reprehension, his resentment
buoyed him up above every selfish consideration: he resolved to attach
himself to Emilia, if possible, more than ever; and although he was
tempted to punish the officiousness of Jolter, by recriminating upon
his life and conversation, he generously withstood the impulse of his
passion, because he knew that his governor had no other dependence than
the good opinion of the commodore. He could not, however, digest in
silence the severe expostulations of his aunt; to which he replied by
the following letter, addressed to her husband:--

"Sir,--Though my temper could never stoop to offer nor, I
believe, your disposition deign to receive, that gross incense
which the illiberal only expect, and none but the base-minded
condescend to pay; my sentiments have always done justice to
your generosity, and my intention scrupulously adhered to the
dictates of my duty. Conscious of this integrity of heart, I
cannot but severely feel your lady's unkind (I will not call
it ungenerous) recapitulation of the favours I have received;
and, as I take it for granted that you knew and approved of her
letter, I must beg leave to assure you, that, far from being
swayed by menaces and reproach, I am determined to embrace the
most abject extremity of fortune, rather than submit to such
dishonourable compulsion. When I am treated in a more delicate
and respectful manner, I hope I shall behave as becomes,--Sir,
your obliged
"P. Pickle."

The commodore, who did not understand those nice distinctions of
behaviour, and dreaded the consequence of Peregrine's amour, against
which he was strangely prepossessed, seemed exasperated at the insolence
and obstinacy of this adopted son; to whose epistle he wrote the
following answer, which was transmitted by the hands of Hatchway, who
had orders to bring the delinquent along with him to the garrison:--

"Hark ye