Proceeds for the Capital — Takes up his Lodging1 at Bernay, where he is overtaken by Mr. Hornbeck, whose Head he longs to fortify2.
During this day’s expedition, Mr. Jolter took an opportunity of imparting to his pupil the remarks he had made upon the industry of the French as an undeniable proof of which he bade him cast his eyes around, and observe with what care every spot of ground was cultivated, and from the fertility of that province, which is reckoned the poorest in France, conceive the wealth and affluence3 of the nation in general. Peregrine, amazed as well as disgusted at this infatuation, answered that what he ascribed to industry was the effect of mere4 wretchedness; the miserable5 peasants being obliged to plough up every inch of ground to satisfy their oppressive landlords, while they themselves and their cattle looked like so many images of famine; that their extreme poverty was evident from the face of the country, on which there was not one inclosure to be seen, or any other object, except scanty6 crops of barley7 and oats, which could never reward the toil8 of the husbandman; that their habitations were no better than paltry9 huts; that in twenty miles of extent not one gentleman’s house appeared; that nothing was more abject10 and forlorn than the attire11 of their country people; that the equipage of their travelling chaises was infinitely12 inferior to that of a dung-cart in England; and that the postilion who then drove their carriage had neither stockings to his legs, nor a shirt to his back.
The governor, finding his charge so intractable resolved to leave him in the midst of his own ignorance and prejudice, and reserve his observations for those who would pay more deference13 to his opinion: and indeed this resolution he had often made, and as often broken in the transports of his zeal14, that frequently hurried him out of the plan of conduct which in his cooler moments he had laid down. They halted for refreshment15 at Montreuil, and about seven in the evening arrived at a village called Bernay, where, while they waited for fresh horses, they were informed by the landlord that the gates of Abbeville were shut every night punctually at eight o’clock, so that it would be impossible for them to get admittance. He said there was not another place of entertainment on the road where they could pass the night; and therefore, as a friend, he advised them to stay at his house, where they would find the best of accommodation, and proceed upon their journey betimes in the morning.
Mr. Jolter, though he had travelled on that road before, could not recollect16 whether or not mine host spoke17 truth; but his remonstrance18 being very plausible19, our hero determined20 to follow his advice, and being conducted into an apartment, asked what they could have for supper. The landlord mentioned everything that was eatable in the house; and the whole being engrossed21 for the use of him and his attendants, he amused himself, till such time as it should be dressed, in strolling about the house, which stands in a very rural situation. While he thus loitered away the time that hung heavy on his hands, another chaise arrived at the inn, and upon inquiry22 he found that the new-comers were Mr. Hornbeck and his lady. The landlord, conscious of his inability to entertain this second company, came and begged with great humiliation23 that Mr. Pickle24 would spare them some part of the victuals25 he had bespoken26; but he refused to part with so much as the wing of a partridge, though at the same time he sent his compliments to the strangers, and giving them to understand how ill the house was provided for their reception, invited them to partake of his supper. Mr. Hornbeck, who was not deficient27 in point of politeness, and extremely well disposed for a relishing28 meal, which he had reason to expect from the savoury steam that issued from the kitchen, could not resist this second instance of our young gentleman’s civility, which he acknowledged in a message, importing that he and his wife would do themselves the pleasure of profiting by his courteous29 offer. Peregrine’s cheeks glowed when he found himself on the eve of being acquainted with Mrs. Hornbeck, of whose heart he had already made a conquest in imagination; and he forthwith set his invention at work, to contrive30 some means of defeating her husband’s vigilance.
When supper was ready, he in person gave notice to his guests, and, leading the lady into his apartment, seated her in an elbow-chair at the upper end of the table, squeezing her hand, and darting31 a most insidious32 glance at the same time. This abrupt33 behaviour he practised on the presumption34 that a lady of her breeding was not to be addressed with the tedious forms that must be observed in one’s advances to a person of birth and genteel education. In all probability his calculation was just, for Mrs. Hornbeck gave no signs of discontent at this sort of treatment, but, on the contrary, seemed to consider it as a proof of the young gentleman’s regard; and though she did not venture to open her mouth three times during the whole repast, she showed herself particularly well satisfied with her entertainer, by sundry35 sly and significant looks, while her husband’s eyes were directed another way; and divers36 loud peals37 of laughter, signifying her approbation38 of the sallies which he uttered in the course of their conversation.
Her spouse39 began to be very uneasy at the frank demeanour of his yoke-fellow, whom he endeavoured to check in her vivacity40, by assuming a severity of aspect; but whether she obeyed the dictates41 of her own disposition42, which, perhaps, was merry and unreserved, or wanted to punish Mr. Hornbeck for his jealousy43 of temper; certain it is, her gaiety increased to such a degree, that her husband was grievously alarmed and, incensed44 at her conduct, and resolved to make her sensible of his displeasure, by treading in secret upon her toes. He was, however, so disconcerted by his indignation, that he mistook his mark, and applied45 the sharp heel of his shoe to the side of Mr. Jolter’s foot, comprehending his little toe that was studded with an angry corn, which he invaded with such a sudden jerk, that the governor, unable to endure the torture in silence started up, and, dancing on the floor, roared hideously46 with repeated bellowings, to the enjoyment47 of Peregrine and the lady, who laughed themselves almost into convulsions at the joke. Hornbeck, confounded at the mistake he had committed, begged pardon of the injured tutor with great contrition48 protesting that the blow he had so unfortunately received, was intended for an ugly cur, which he thought had posted himself under the table. It was lucky for him that there was actually a dog in the room, to justify49 this excuse, which Jolter admitted with the tears running over his cheeks, and the economy of the table was recomposed.
As soon, however, as the strangers could with decency50 withdraw, this suspicious husband took his leave of the youth, on pretence51 of being fatigued52 with his journey, after having, by way of compliment, proposed that they should travel together next day; and Peregrine handed the lady to her chamber53, where he wished her good night with another warm squeeze, which she returned. This favourable54 hint made his heart bound with a transport of joy: he lay in wait for an opportunity of declaring himself; and seeing the husband go down into the yard with a candle, glided55 softly into his apartment, where he found her almost undressed. Impelled56 by the impetuosity of his passion, which was still more inflamed57 by her present luscious58 appearance, and encouraged by the approbation she had already expressed, he ran towards her with eagerness, crying, “Zounds! madam, your charms are irresistible59!” and without further ceremony would have clasped her in his arms, had she not begged him for the love of God to retire; for should Mr. Hornbeck return and find him there, she would be undone60 for ever. He was not so blinded by his passion, but that he saw the reasonableness of her fear; and as he could not pretend to crown his wishes at that interview, he avowed61 himself her lover, assured her that he would exhaust his whole invention in finding a proper opportunity for throwing himself at her feet; and in the mean time he ravished sundry small favours, which she in the hurry of her fright, could not withhold62 from his impudence63 of address. Having thus settled the preliminaries, he withdrew to his own chamber, and spent the whole night in contriving64 stratagems65 to elude66 the jealous caution of his fellow-traveller.
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1
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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fortify
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| v.强化防御，为…设防；加强，强化 | |
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affluence
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| n.充裕，富足 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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barley
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| n.大麦，大麦粒 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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bespoken
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| v.预定( bespeak的过去分词 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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relishing
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| v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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47
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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49
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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50
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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luscious
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| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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contriving
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| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的现在分词 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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stratagems
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| n.诡计，计谋( stratagem的名词复数 )；花招 | |
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elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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