Hornbeck is informed of his Wife’s Adventure with Peregrine, for whom he prepares a Stratagem1, which is rendered ineffectual by the Information of Pipes — The Husband is ducked for his Intention, and our Hero apprehended2 by the Patrol.
There was another person, however, still ungained; and that was no other than her footman, whose secrecy3 our hero attempted to secure in the morning by a handsome present, which he received with many professions of gratitude4 and devotion to his service; yet this complaisance5 was nothing but a cloak used to disguise the design he harboured of making his master acquainted with the whole transaction. Indeed this lacquey had been hired, not only as a spy upon his mistress, but also as a check on the conduct of the governante, with promise of ample reward if ever he should discover any sinister6 or suspicious practices in the course of her behaviour. As for the footman whom they had brought from England, he was retained in attendance upon the person of his master, whose confidence he had lost by advising him to gentle methods of reclaiming7 his lady, when her irregularities had subjected her to his wrath8.
The Flemish valet, in consequence of the office he had undertaken, wrote to Hornbeck by the first post, giving an exact detail of the adventure at Versailles, with such a description of the pretended brother as left the husband no room to think he could be any other person than his first dishonourer; and exasperated9 him to such a degree, that he resolved to lay an ambush10 for this invader11, and at once disqualify him from disturbing his repose12, by maintaining further correspondence with his wife.
Meanwhile the lovers enjoyed themselves without restraint, and Peregrine’s plan of inquiry13 after his dear unknown was for the present postponed14. His fellow-travellers were confounded at his mysterious motions, which filled the heart of Jolter with anxiety and terror. This careful conductor was fraught15 with such experience of his pupil’s disposition16, that he trembled with the apprehension17 of some sudden accident, and lived in continual alarm, like a man that walks under the wall of a nodding tower. Nor did he enjoy any alleviations of his fears, when, upon telling the young gentleman that the rest of the company were desirous of departing for Antwerp, he answered, they were at liberty to consult their own inclinations18; but, for his own part, he was resolved to stay in Brussels a few days longer. By this declaration the governor was confirmed in the opinion of his having some intrigue19 upon the anvil20. In the bitterness of his vexation, he took the liberty of signifying his suspicion, and reminding him of the dangerous dilemmas21 to which he had been reduced by his former precipitation.
Peregrine took his caution in good part, and promised to behave with such circumspection22 as would screen him from any troublesome consequences for the future: but, nevertheless, behaved that same evening in such a manner as plainly showed that his prudence23 was nothing else than vain speculation24. He had made an appointment to spend the night, as usual, with Mrs. Hornbeck; and about nine o’clock hastened to her lodgings25, when he was accosted26 in the street by his old discarded friend Thomas Pipes, who, without any other preamble27, told him, that for all he had turned him adrift, he did not choose to see him run full sail into his enemy’s harbour, without giving him timely notice of the danger. “I’ll tell you what,” said he; “mayhap you think I want to curry28 favour, that I may be taken in tow again; if you do, you have made a mistake in your reckoning. I am old enough to be laid up, and have to keep my planks29 from the weather. But this here is the affair: I have known you since you were no higher than a marlinspike, and shouldn’t care to see you deprived of your rigging at these years; whereby I am informed by Hornbeck’s man, whom I this afternoon fell in with by chance, as how his master has got intelligence of your boarding his wife, and has steered30 privately31 into this port with a large complement32 of hands, in order, d’ye see, to secure you while you are under the hatches. Now, if so be as how you have a mind to give him a salt eel33 for his supper, here am I, without hope of fee or reward, ready to stand by you as long as my timbers will stick together: and if I expect any recompense, may I be bound to eat oakum and drink bilge-water for life.”
Startled at this information, Peregrine examined him upon the particulars of his discourse34 with the lacquey; and when he understood that Hornbeck’s intelligence flowed from the canal of his Flemish footman, he believed every circumstance of Tom’s report, thanked him for his warning, and, after having reprimanded him for his misbehaviour at Lisle, assured him that it should be his own fault if ever they should part again. He then deliberated with himself whether or not he should retort the purpose upon his adversary35; but when he considered that Hornbeck was not the aggressor, and made that unhappy husband’s case his own, he could not help quitting his intention of revenge; though, in his opinion, it ought to have been executed in a more honourable36 manner, and therefore he determined37 to chastise38 him for his want of spirit. Nothing surely can be more insolent39 and unjust than this determination, which induced him to punish a person for his want of courage to redress40 the injury which he himself had done to his reputation and peace; and yet this barbarity of decision is authorised by the opinion and practice of mankind.
With these sentiments he returned to the inn, and, putting a pair of pistols in his pocket, ordered his valet-de-chambre and Pipes to follow him at a small distance, so as that they should be within call in case of necessity, and then posted himself within thirty yards of his dulcinea’s door. There he had not been above half an hour, when he perceived four men take their station on the other side, with a view, as he guessed, to watch for his going in, that he might be taken unaware41. But when they had tarried a considerable time in that corner, without reaping the fruits of their expectation, their leader, persuaded that the gallant42 had gained admittance by some secret means, approached the door with his followers43, who, according to the instructions they had received, no sooner saw it opened, than they rushed in, leaving their employer in the street, where he thought his person would be least endangered. Our adventurer, seeing him all alone, advanced with speed, and clapping a pistol to his breast, commanded him to follow his footsteps. without noise, on pain of immediate44 death.
Terrified at this sudden apparition45, Hornbeck obeyed in silence; and, in a few minutes, they arrived at the quay46, where Pickle47, halting, gave him to understand that he was no stranger to his villainous design; told him, that if he conceived himself injured by any circumstance of his conduct, he would now give him an opportunity of resenting the wrong in a manner becoming a man of honour. “You have a sword about you,” said he; “or, if you don’t choose to put the affair on that issue, here is a brace48 of pistols; take which you please.” Such an address could not fail to disconcert a man of his character. After some hesitation49, he, in a faltering50 accent, denied that his design was to mutilate Mr. Pickle, but that he thought himself entitled to the benefit of the law, by which he would have obtained a divorce, if he could have procured51 evidence of his wife’s infidelity; and, with that view, he had employed people to take advantage of the information he had received. With regard to this alternative, he declined it entirely52, because he could not see what satisfaction he should enjoy in being shot through the head, or run through the lungs, by a person who had already wronged him in an irreparable manner. Lastly, his fear made him propose that the affair should be left to the arbitration53 of two creditable men, altogether unconcerned in the dispute.
To these remonstrances54 Peregrine replied, in the style of a hot-headed young man, conscious of his own unjustifiable behaviour, that every gentleman ought to be a judge of his own honour and therefore he would submit to the decision of no umpire whatsoever55; that he would forgive his want of courage, which might be a natural infirmity, but his mean dissimulation56 he could not pardon. That, as he was certified57 of the rascally58 intent of his ambuscade by undoubted intelligence, he would treat him, not with a retaliation59 of his own treachery, but with such indignity60 as a scoundrel deserves to suffer, unless he would make one effort to maintain the character he assumed in life. So saying, he again presented his pistols, which being rejected as before, he called his two ministers, and ordered them to duck him in the canal.
This command was pronounced and executed almost in the same breath, to the unspeakable terror and disorder61 of the poor shivering patient, who, having undergone the immersion62, ran about like a drowned rat, squeaking63 for assistance and revenge. His cries were overheard by the patrol, who, chancing to pass that way, took him under their protection, and, in consequence of his complaint and information, went in pursuit of our adventurer and his attendants, who were soon overtaken and surrounded. Rash and inconsiderate as the young gentleman was, he did not pretend to stand upon the defensive64 against a file of musketeers, although Pipes had drawn65 his cutlass at their approach, but surrendered himself without opposition66, and was conveyed to the main guard, where the commanding officer, engaged by his appearance and address, treated him with all imaginable respect. Hearing the particulars of his adventure, he assured him that the prince would consider the whole as a tour de jeunesse, and order him to be released without delay.
Next morning, when this gentleman gave in his report, he made such a favourable67 representation of the prisoner, that our hero was on the point of being discharged, when Hornbeck preferred a complaint, accusing him of a purposed assassination68, and praying that such punishment should be inflicted69 upon him as his highness should think adequate to the nature of the crime. The prince, perplexed70 with this petition, in consequence of which he foresaw that he must disoblige a British subject, sent for the plaintiff, of whom he had some knowledge, and, in person, exhorted71 him to drop the prosecution72, which would only serve to propagate his own shame. But Hornbeck was too much incensed73 to listen to any proposal of that kind, and peremptorily74 demanded justice against the prisoner, whom he represented as an obscure adventurer, who had made repeated attempts upon his honour and his life. Prince Charles told him, that what he had advised was in the capacity of a friend; but, since he insisted upon his acting75 as a magistrate76, the affair should be examined, and determined according to the dictates77 of justice and truth.
The petitioner78 being dismissed with this promise, the defendant79 was, in his turn, brought before the judge, whose prepossession in his favour was in a great measure weakened by what his antagonist80 had said to the prejudice of his birth and reputation.
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1
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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4
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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reclaiming
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| v.开拓( reclaim的现在分词 )；要求收回；从废料中回收（有用的材料）；挽救 | |
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8
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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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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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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dilemmas
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| n.左右为难( dilemma的名词复数 )；窘境，困境 | |
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22
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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25
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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preamble
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| n.前言；序文 | |
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28
curry
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| n.咖哩粉，咖哩饭菜；v.用咖哩粉调味，用马栉梳，制革 | |
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29
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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eel
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| n.鳗鲡 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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35
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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chastise
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| vt.责骂，严惩 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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40
redress
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| n.赔偿，救济，矫正；v.纠正，匡正，革除 | |
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41
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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42
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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45
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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46
quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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48
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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49
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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50
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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51
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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52
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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53
arbitration
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| n.调停，仲裁 | |
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54
remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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55
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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56
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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57
certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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58
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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59
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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immersion
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| n.沉浸；专心 | |
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squeaking
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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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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assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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exhorted
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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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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petitioner
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| n.请愿人 | |
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defendant
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| n.被告；adj.处于被告地位的 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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