sed
the hostler with a false route. This conjecture was strengthened by his
perceiving, now for the first time, that he had deviated a considerable
way from the road, through which they must have journeyed, in order to
arrive at the place of her mother's residence; and these suggestions
utterly deprived him of the small remains of recollection which he
had hitherto retained. His eyes rolled about, witnessing rage and
distraction; he foamed at the mouth, stamped upon the ground with
great violence, uttered incoherent imprecations against himself and all
mankind, and would have sallied forth again, he knew not whither, upon
the same horse, which he had already almost killed with fatigue, had
not his confidant found means to quiet the tumult of his thoughts,
and recall his reflection, by representing the condition of the poor
animals, and advising him to hire fresh horses, and ride post across
the country, to the village in the neighbourhood of Mrs. Gauntlet's
habitation, where they should infallibly intercept the daughter,
provided they could get the start of her upon the road.

Peregrine not only relished, but forthwith acted in conformity with
this good counsel. His own horses were committed to the charge of the
landlord, with directions for Pipes, in case he should come in quest of
his master: and, a couple of stout geldings being prepared, he and
his valet took the road again, steering their course according to the
motions of the post-boy, who undertook to be their guide. They had
almost finished the first stage, when they descried a post-chaise just
halting at the inn where they proposed to change horses; upon which our
adventurer, glowing with a most interesting presage, put his beast
to the full speed, and approached near enough to distinguish, as the
travellers quitted the carriage, that he had at last come up with the
very individual persons whom he had pursued so long.

Flushed with this discovery, he galloped into the yard so suddenly, that
the lady and her conductor scarce had time to shut themselves up in a
chamber, to which they retreated with great precipitation; so that
the pursuer was now certain of having housed his prey. That he might,
however, leave nothing to fortune, he placed himself upon the stair by
which they had ascended to the apartment, and sent up his compliments to
the young lady, desiring the favour of being admitted to her presence,
otherwise he should be obliged to waive all ceremony, an