by T. Smollett
The young Gentleman, having settled his domestic Affairs, arrivesin London, and sets up a gay Equipage--He meets with Emilia, and isintroduced to her Uncle.
His aunt, at the earnest solicitations of Julia and her husband, tookup her quarters at the house of that affectionate kinswoman, who madeit her chief study to comfort and cherish the disconsolate widow; andJolter, in expectation of the living, which was not yet vacant, remainedin garrison, in quality of land-steward upon our hero's country estate.As for the lieutenant, our young gentleman communed with him in aserious manner, about the commodore's proposal of taking Mrs. Trunnionto wife; and Jack, being quite tired of the solitary situation of abachelor, which nothing but the company of his old commander could haveenabled him to support so long, far from discovering aversion from thematch, observed with an arch smile, that it was not the first timehe had commanded a vessel in the absence of Captain Trunnion; andtherefore, if the widow was willing, he would cheerfully stand by herhelm, and, as he hoped the duty would not be of long continuance, do hisendeavour to steer her safe into port, where the commodore might come onboard, and take charge of her again.
In consequence of this declaration, it was determined that Mr. Hatchwayshould make his addresses to Mrs. Trunnion as soon as decency wouldpermit her to receive them; and Mr. Clover and his wife promised toexert their influence on his behalf. Meanwhile, Jack was desired to liveat the castle as usual, and assured, that it should be put wholly in hispossession, as soon as he should be able to accomplish this matrimonialscheme.
When Peregrine had settled all these points to his own satisfaction,he took leave of all his friends, and, repairing to the great city,purchased a new chariot and horses, put Pipes and another lacquey intorich liveries, took elegant lodgings in Pall Mall, and made a mostremarkable appearance among the people of fashion.
It was owing to this equipage, and the gaiety of his personaldeportment, that common fame, which is always a common liar, representedhim as a young gentleman who had just succeeded to an estate of fivethousand pounds per annum, by the death of an uncle; that he wasentitled to an equal fortune at the decease of his own father, exclusiveof two considerable jointures, which would devolve upon him at thedemise of his mother and aunt. This report, false and ridiculous as itwas, he could not find in his heart to contradict. Not but that he wassorry to find himself so misrepresented; but his vanity would not allowhim to take any step that might diminish his importance in the opinionof those who courted his acquaintance, on the supposition that hiscircumstances were actually as affluent as they were said to be. Nay, somuch was he infatuated by this weakness, that he resolved to encouragethe deception, by living up to the report; and accordingly engagedin the most expensive parties of pleasure, believing that, before hispresent finances should be exhausted, his fortune would be effectuallymade, by the personal accomplishments he should have occasion to displayto the beau monde in the course of his extravagance. In a word, vanityand pride were the ruling foibles of our adventurer, who imaginedhimself sufficiently qualified to retrieve his fortune in variousshapes, long before he could have any idea of want or difficulty. Hethought he should have it in his power, at any time, to make a prize ofa rich heiress, or opulent widow; his ambition had already aspired tothe heart of a young handsome duchess dowager, to whose acquaintancehe had found means to be introduced; or, should matrimony chance to beunsuitable to his inclinations, he never doubted, that, by the interesthe might acquire among the nobility, he should be favoured with somelucrative post, that would amply recompense him for the liberalityof his disposition. There are many young men who entertain the sameexpectations, with half the reason he had to be so presumptuous.
In the midst of these chimerical calculations, his passion for Emiliadid not subside; but, on the contrary, began to rage with such aninflammation of desire, that her idea interfered with every otherreflection, and absolutely disabled him from prosecuting the other loftyschemes which his imagination had projected. He therefore laid down thehonest resolution of visiting her in all the splendour of his situation,in order to practise upon her virtue with all his art and address, tothe utmost extent of his affluence and fortune. Nay, so effectuallyhad his guilty passion absorbed his principles of honour, conscience,humanity, and regard for the commodore's last words, that he was baseenough to rejoice at the absence of his friend Godfrey, who, being thenwith his regiment in Ireland, could not dive into his purpose, or takemeasures for frustrating his vicious design.
Fraught with these heroic sentiments, he determined to set out forSussex in his chariot and six, attended by his valet-de-chambre andtwo footmen; and as he was now sensible that in his last essay he hadmistaken his cue, he determined to change his battery, and sap thefortress, by the most submissive, soft, and insinuating behaviour.
On the evening that preceded this proposed expedition, he went into oneof the boxes at the playhouse, as usual, to show himself to the ladies;and reconnoitring the company through a glass (for no other reason butbecause it was fashionable to be purblind), perceived his mistress veryplainly dressed, in one of the seats above the stage, talking to anotheryoung woman of a very homely appearance. Though his heart beat thealarm with the utmost impatience at sight of his Emilia, he was for someminutes deterred from obeying the impulse of his love, by the presenceof some ladies of fashion, who, he feared, would think the worse of him,should they see him make his compliment in public to a person of herfigure. Nor would the violence of his inclination have so far prevailedover his pride, as to lead him thither, had he not recollected, that hisquality friends would look upon her as some handsome Abigail, with whomhe had an affair of gallantry, and of consequence give him credit forthe intrigue.
Encouraged by this suggestion, he complied with the dictates of love,and flew to the place where his charmer sat. His air and dress were soremarkable, that it was almost impossible he should have escaped theeyes of a curious observer, especially as he had chosen a time forcoming in, when his entrance could not fail to attract the notice of thespectators; I mean, when the whole house was hushed in attention to theperformance on the stage. Emilia, therefore, perceived him at his firstapproach; she found herself discovered by the direction of his glass,and, guessing his intention by his abrupt retreat from the box, summonedall her fortitude to her aid, and prepared for his reception. Headvanced to her with an air of eagerness and joy, tempered with modestyand respect, and expressed his satisfaction at seeing her, with aseeming reverence of regard. Though she was extremely well pleased atthis unexpected behaviour, she suppressed the emotions of her heart, andanswered his compliments with affected ease and unconcern, such asmight denote the good humour of a person who meets by accident with anindifferent acquaintance. After having certified himself of her own goodhealth, he very kindly inquired about her mother and Miss Sophy, gaveher to understand that he had lately been favoured with a letter fromGodfrey; that he had actually intended to set out next morning on avisit to Mrs. Gauntlet, which, now that he was so happy as to meet withher, he would postpone, until he should have the pleasure of attendingher to the country. After having thanked him for his polite intention,she told him, that her mother was expected in town in a few days, andthat she herself had come to London some weeks ago, to give attendanceupon her aunt, who had been dangerously ill, but was now pretty wellrecovered.
Although the conversation of course turned upon general topics, duringthe entertainment he took all opportunities of being particular with hiseyes, through which he conveyed a thousand tender protestations. Shesaw and inwardly rejoiced at the humility of his looks; but, far fromrewarding it with one approving glance, she industriously avoided thisocular intercourse, and rather coquetted with a young gentleman thatogled her from the opposite box. Peregrine's penetration easily detectedher sentiments, and he was nettled at her dissimulation, which served toconfirm him in his unwarrantable designs upon her person. He persistedin his assiduities with indefatigable perseverance; when the play wasconcluded, handed her and her companion into a hackney-c
oach, and withdifficulty was permitted to escort them to the house of Emilia's uncle,to whom our hero was introduced by the young lady, as an intimate friendof her brother Godfrey.
The old gentleman, who was no stranger to the nature of Peregrine'sconnection with his sister's family, prevailed upon him to staysupper, and seemed particularly well pleased with his conversation anddeportment, which, by the help of his natural sagacity, he wonderfullyadapted to the humour of his entertainer. After supper, when the ladieswere withdrawn, and the citizen called for his pipe, our sly adventurerfollowed his example. Though he abhorred the plant, he smoked withan air of infinite satisfaction, and expatiated upon the virtues oftobacco, as if he had been deeply concerned in the Virginia trade. Inthe progress of the discourse, he consulted the merchant's disposition;and the national debt coming upon the carpet, held forth upon thefunds like a professed broker. When the alderman complained of therestrictions and discouragements of trade, his guest inveighed againstexorbitant duties, with the nature of which he seemed as well acquaintedas any commissioner of the customs; so that the uncle was astonished atthe extent of his knowledge, and expressed his surprise that a gay younggentleman like him should have found either leisure or inclination toconsider subjects so foreign to the fashionable amusements of youth.
Pickle laid hold on this opportunity to tell him, that he was descendedfrom a race of merchants; and that, early in life, he had made it hisbusiness to instruct himself in the different branches of trade, whichhe not only studied as his family profession, but also as the sourceof all our national riches and power. He then launched out in praise ofcommerce, and the promoters thereof; and, by way of contrast, employedall his ridicule in drawing such ludicrous pictures of the manners andeducation of what is called high life, that the trader's sides wereshaken by laughter, even to the danger of his life; and he looked uponour adventurer as a miracle of sobriety and good sense. Having thusingratiated himself with the uncle, Peregrine took his leave, and nextday, in the forenoon, visited the niece in his chariot, after shehad been admonished by her kinsman to behave with circumspection, andcautioned against neglecting or discouraging the addresses of such avaluable admirer.
CHAPTER LXXV.