The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle

by T. Smollett

  He becomes Melancholy and Despondent--Is favoured with the condescendingLetter from his Uncle--Reconciles himself to his Governor, and sets outwith Emilia and her Friend for Mrs. Gauntlet's House.

  Peregrine, fortified as he was with pride and indignation, did not failto feel the smarting suggestions of his present situation: after havinglived so long in an affluent and imperious manner, he could ill brookthe thoughts of submitting to the mortifying exigencies of life. All thegaudy schemes of pomp and pleasure, which his luxuriant imagination hadformed, began to dissolve; a train of melancholy ideas took possessionof his thoughts; and the prospect of losing Emilia was not the leastpart of his affliction. Though he endeavoured to suppress the chagrinthat preyed upon his heart, he could not conceal the disturbance of hismind from the penetration of that amiable young lady, who sympathizedwith him in her heart, though she could not give her tongue the libertyof asking the cause of his disorder; for, notwithstanding all the ardourof his addresses, he never could obtain from her the declaration ofa mutual flame; because, though he had hitherto treated her with theutmost reverence of respect, he had never once mentioned the finalaim of his passion. However honourable she supposed it to be, she haddiscernment enough to foresee that vanity or interest, co-operating withthe levity of youth, might one day deprive her of her lover, and she wastoo proud to give him any handle of exulting at her expense. Althoughhe was received by her with the most distinguished civility, and evenan intimacy of friendship, all his solicitations could never extortfrom her an acknowledgment of love: on the contrary, being of a gaydisposition, she sometimes coquetted with other admirers, that hisattention thus whetted might never abate, and that he might see she hadother resources in case he should flag in his affection.

  This being the prudential plan on which she acted, it cannot be supposedthat she would condescend to inquire into the state of his thoughts whenshe saw him thus affected; but she, nevertheless, imposed that taskon her cousin and confidant, who, as they walked together in the parkobserved that he seemed to be out of humour. When this is the case, sucha question generally increases the disease; at least it had that effectupon Peregrine, who replied somewhat peevishly, "I assure you, madam,you never were more mistaken in your observations."--"I think so,too," said Emilia, "for I never saw Mr. Pickle in higher spirits." Thisironical encomium completed his confusion: he affected to smile, but itwas a smile of anguish, and in his heart he cursed the vivacity of both.He could not for his soul recollect himself so as to utter one connectedsentence; and the suspicion that they observed every circumstance ofhis behaviour, threw such a damp on his spirits that he was quiteoverwhelmed with shame and resentment, when Sophy, casting her eyestowards the gate, said, "Yonder is your servant, Mr. Pickle, withanother man who seems to have a wooden leg." Peregrine started at thisintelligence, and immediately underwent sundry changes of complexion,knowing that his fate, in a great measure, depended upon the informationhe would receive from his friend.

  Hatchway, advancing to the company, after a brace of sea bows to theladies, took the youth aside, and put the commodore's letter intohis hand, which threw him into such an agitation that he could scarcepronounce, "Ladies, will you give me leave?" When, in consequence oftheir permission, he attempted to open the billet, he fumbled with suchmanifest disorder, that his mistress, who watched his motions, began tothink that there was something very interesting in the message; and somuch was she affected with his concern, that she was fain to turn herhead another way, and wipe the tears from her lovely eyes.

  Meanwhile, Peregrine no sooner read the first sentence than hiscountenance, which before was overcast with a deep gloom, began to belighted up, and every feature unbending by degrees, he recovered hisserenity. Having perused the letter, his eyes sparkling with joy andgratitude, he hugged the lieutenant in his arms, and presented him tothe ladies as one of his best friends. Jack met with a most graciousreception, and shook Emilia by the hand, telling her, with the familiarappellation of "old acquaintance" that he did not care how soon he wasmaster of such another clean-going frigate as herself. The whole companypartook of this favourable change that evidently appeared in our lover'srecollection, and enlivened his conversation with such an uncommon flowof sprightliness and good humour, as even made an impression on the ironcountenance of Pipes himself, who actually smiled with satisfaction ashe walked behind them.

  The evening being pretty far advanced, they directed their coursehomeward; and while the valet attended Hatchway to the inn, Peregrineescorted the ladies to their lodgings, where he owned the justness ofSophy's remark in saying he was out of humour, and told them he had beenextremely chagrined at a difference which had happened between him andhis uncle, to whom, by the letter which they had seen him receive, henow found himself happily reconciled.

  Having received their congratulations, and declined staying to supwith them, on account of the longing desire he had to converse with hisfriend Jack, he took his leave, and repaired to the inn, where Hatchwayinformed him of everything that had happened in the garrison upon hispresentations. Far from being disgusted, he was perfectly well pleasedwith the prospect of going abroad, which flattered his vanity andambition, gratified his thirst after knowledge, and indulged that turnfor observation, for which he had been remarkable from his mosttender years. Neither did he believe a short absence would tend to theprejudice of his love, but, on the contrary, enhance the value of hisheart, because he should return better accomplished, consequently, amore welcome offering to his mistress. Elevated with these sentiments,his heart dilated with joy; and the sluices of his natural benevolencebeing opened by this happy turn of his affairs, he sent his complimentto Mr. Jolter, to whom he had not spoken during a whole week, anddesired he would favour Mr. Hatchway and him with his company at supper.

  The governor was not weak enough to decline this invitation; inconsequence of which he forthwith appeared, and was cordiallywelcomed by the relenting pupil, who expressed his sorrow for themisunderstanding which had prevailed between them, and assured him thatfor the future he would avoid giving him any just cause of complaint.Jolter, who did not want affections, was melted by this acknowledgment,which he could not have expected; and earnestly protested, that hischief study had always been, and ever should be, to promote Mr. Pickle'sinterest and happiness.

  The best part of the night being spent in the circulation of a cheerfulglass, the company broke up; and next morning Peregrine went out witha view of making his mistress acquainted with his uncle's intentionof sending him out of the kingdom for his improvement, and of sayingeverything which he thought necessary for the interest of his love. Hefound her at breakfast with her cousin; and, as he was very full ofthe subject of his visit, had scarce fixed himself in his seat, when hebrought it upon the carpet, by asking, with a smile, if the ladies hadany commands for Paris? Emilia at this question began to stare, and herconfidant desired to know who was going thither? He no sooner gaveto understand that he himself intended in a short time to visit thatcapital, than his mistress with great precipitation wished him a goodjourney, and affected to talk with indifference the pleasures he wouldenjoy in France; but when he seriously assured Sophy, who asked if hewas in earnest, and his uncle actually insisted upon his making a shorttour, the tears gushed in poor Emilia's eyes, and she was at great painsto conceal her concern, by observing that the tea was so scalding hot,as to make her eyes water. This pretext was too thin to impose upon herlover, or even deceive the observation of her friend Sophy, who, afterbreakfast, took an opportunity of quitting the room.

  Thus left by themselves, Peregrine imparted to her what he had learntof the commodore's intention, without, however, mentioning a syllableof his being offended at their correspondence; and accompanied hisinformation with such fervent vows of eternal constancy and solemnpromises of a speedy return, that Emily's heart, which had been invadedby a suspicion that this scheme of travelling was an effect of herlover's inconstancy, began to be more at ease; and she could not helpsignifying her approbation of his d
esign.

  This affair being amicably compromised, he asked how soon she proposedto set out for her mother's house; and understanding that her departurewas fixed for next day but one, and that her Cousin Sophy intended toaccompany her in her father's chariot, he repeated his intention ofattending her. In the mean time he dismissed the governor and thelieutenant to the garrison, with his compliments to his aunt and thecommodore, and a faithful promise of his being with them in six days atfarthest. These previous measures being taken, he, attended by Pipes,set out with the ladies; and they had also a convoy for twelve milesfrom Sophy's father, who, at parting, recommended them piously tothe care of Peregrine, with whom by this time, he was perfectly wellacquainted.

  CHAPTER XXVII.