The young Gentleman, having settled his domestic Affairs, arrives in London, and sets up a gay Equipage — He meets with Emilia, and is introduced to her Uncle.
His aunt, at the earnest solicitations of Julia and her husband, took up her quarters at the house of that affectionate kinswoman, who made it her chief study to comfort and cherish the disconsolate1 widow; and Jolter, in expectation of the living, which was not yet vacant, remained in garrison2, in quality of land-steward upon our hero’s country estate. As for the lieutenant3, our young gentleman communed with him in a serious manner, about the commodore’s proposal of taking Mrs. Trunnion to wife; and Jack4, being quite tired of the solitary5 situation of a bachelor, which nothing but the company of his old commander could have enabled him to support so long, far from discovering aversion from the match, observed with an arch smile, that it was not the first time he had commanded a vessel6 in the absence of Captain Trunnion; and therefore, if the widow was willing, he would cheerfully stand by her helm, and, as he hoped the duty would not be of long continuance, do his endeavour to steer7 her safe into port, where the commodore might come on board, and take charge of her again.
In consequence of this declaration, it was determined8 that Mr. Hatchway should make his addresses to Mrs. Trunnion as soon as decency9 would permit her to receive them; and Mr. Clover and his wife promised to exert their influence on his behalf. Meanwhile, Jack was desired to live at the castle as usual, and assured, that it should be put wholly in his possession, as soon as he should be able to accomplish this matrimonial scheme.
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 into rich liveries, took elegant lodgings10 in Pall11 Mall, and made a most remarkable12 appearance among the people of fashion.
It was owing to this equipage, and the gaiety of his personal deportment, that common fame, which is always a common liar13, represented him as a young gentleman who had just succeeded to an estate of five thousand pounds per annum, by the death of an uncle; that he was entitled to an equal fortune at the decease of his own father, exclusive of two considerable jointures, which would devolve upon him at the demise14 of his mother and aunt. This report, false and ridiculous as it was, he could not find in his heart to contradict. Not but that he was sorry to find himself so misrepresented; but his vanity would not allow him to take any step that might diminish his importance in the opinion of those who courted his acquaintance, on the supposition that his circumstances were actually as affluent15 as they were said to be. Nay16, so much was he infatuated by this weakness, that he resolved to encourage the deception17, by living up to the report; and accordingly engaged in the most expensive parties of pleasure, believing that, before his present finances should be exhausted18, his fortune would be effectually made, by the personal accomplishments19 he should have occasion to display to the beau monde in the course of his extravagance. In a word, vanity and pride were the ruling foibles of our adventurer, who imagined himself sufficiently20 qualified21 to retrieve22 his fortune in various shapes, long before he could have any idea of want or difficulty. He thought he should have it in his power, at any time, to make a prize of a rich heiress, or opulent widow; his ambition had already aspired23 to the heart of a young handsome duchess dowager, to whose acquaintance he had found means to be introduced; or, should matrimony chance to be unsuitable to his inclinations25, he never doubted, that, by the interest he might acquire among the nobility, he should be favoured with some lucrative26 post, that would amply recompense him for the liberality of his disposition27. There are many young men who entertain the same expectations, with half the reason he had to be so presumptuous28.
In the midst of these chimerical29 calculations, his passion for Emilia did not subside30; but, on the contrary, began to rage with such an inflammation of desire, that her idea interfered31 with every other reflection, and absolutely disabled him from prosecuting32 the other lofty schemes which his imagination had projected. He therefore laid down the honest resolution of visiting her in all the splendour of his situation, in order to practise upon her virtue33 with all his art and address, to the utmost extent of his affluence34 and fortune. Nay, so effectually had his guilty passion absorbed his principles of honour, conscience, humanity, and regard for the commodore’s last words, that he was base enough to rejoice at the absence of his friend Godfrey, who, being then with his regiment35 in Ireland, could not dive into his purpose, or take measures for frustrating36 his vicious design.
Fraught37 with these heroic sentiments, he determined to set out for Sussex in his chariot and six, attended by his valet-de-chambre and two footmen; and as he was now sensible that in his last essay he had mistaken his cue, he determined to change his battery, and sap the fortress38, by the most submissive, soft, and insinuating39 behaviour.
On the evening that preceded this proposed expedition, he went into one of the boxes at the playhouse, as usual, to show himself to the ladies; and reconnoitring the company through a glass (for no other reason but because it was fashionable to be purblind), perceived his mistress very plainly dressed, in one of the seats above the stage, talking to another young woman of a very homely40 appearance. Though his heart beat the alarm with the utmost impatience41 at sight of his Emilia, he was for some minutes deterred42 from obeying the impulse of his love, by the presence of 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 her figure. Nor would the violence of his inclination24 have so far prevailed over his pride, as to lead him thither43, had he not recollected44, that his quality friends would look upon her as some handsome Abigail, with whom he had an affair of gallantry, and of consequence give him credit for the intrigue45.
Encouraged by this suggestion, he complied with the dictates46 of love, and flew to the place where his charmer sat. His air and dress were so remarkable, that it was almost impossible he should have escaped the eyes of a curious observer, especially as he had chosen a time for coming in, when his entrance could not fail to attract the notice of the spectators; I mean, when the whole house was hushed in attention to the performance on the stage. Emilia, therefore, perceived him at his first approach; she found herself discovered by the direction of his glass, and, guessing his intention by his abrupt47 retreat from the box, summoned all her fortitude48 to her aid, and prepared for his reception. He advanced to her with an air of eagerness and joy, tempered with modesty49 and respect, and expressed his satisfaction at seeing her, with a seeming reverence50 of regard. Though she was extremely well pleased at this unexpected behaviour, she suppressed the emotions of her heart, and answered his compliments with affected51 ease and unconcern, such as might denote the good humour of a person who meets by accident with an indifferent acquaintance. After having certified52 himself of her own good health, he very kindly53 inquired about her mother and Miss Sophy, gave her to understand that he had lately been favoured with a letter from Godfrey; that he had actually intended to set out next morning on a visit to Mrs. Gauntlet, which, now that he was so happy as to meet with her, he would postpone54, until he should have the pleasure of attending her 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, and that she herself had come to London some weeks ago, to give attendance upon her aunt, who had been dangerously ill, but was now pretty well recovered.
Although the conversation of course turned upon general topics, during the entertainment he took all opportunities of being particular with his eyes, through which he conveyed a thousand tender protestations. She saw and inwardly rejoiced at the humility55 of his looks; but, far from rewarding it with one approving glance, she industriously56 avoided this ocular intercourse57, and rather coquetted with a young gentleman that ogled58 her from the opposite box. Peregrine’s penetration59 easily detected her sentiments, and he was nettled60 at her dissimulation61, which served to confirm him in his unwarrantable designs upon her person. He persisted in his assiduities with indefatigable62 perseverance63; when the play was concluded, handed her and her companion into a hackney-coach, and with difficulty 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 friend of her brother Godfrey.
The old gentleman, who was no stranger to the nature of Peregrine’s connection with his sister’s family, prevailed upon him to stay supper, and seemed particularly well pleased with his conversation and deportment, which, by the help of his natural sagacity, he wonderfully adapted to the humour of his entertainer. After supper, when the ladies were withdrawn64, and the citizen called for his pipe, our sly adventurer followed his example. Though he abhorred65 the plant, he smoked with an air of infinite satisfaction, and expatiated66 upon the virtues67 of tobacco, as if he had been deeply concerned in the Virginia trade. In the progress of the discourse68, he consulted the merchant’s disposition; and the national debt coming upon the carpet, held forth69 upon the funds like a professed70 broker71. When the alderman complained of the restrictions72 and discouragements of trade, his guest inveighed73 against exorbitant74 duties, with the nature of which he seemed as well acquainted as any commissioner75 of the customs; so that the uncle was astonished at the extent of his knowledge, and expressed his surprise that a gay young gentleman like him should have found either leisure or inclination to consider subjects so foreign to the fashionable amusements of youth.
Pickle76 laid hold on this opportunity to tell him, that he was descended77 from a race of merchants; and that, early in life, he had made it his business to instruct himself in the different branches of trade, which he not only studied as his family profession, but also as the source of all our national riches and power. He then launched out in praise of commerce, and the promoters thereof; and, by way of contrast, employed all his ridicule78 in drawing such ludicrous pictures of the manners and education of what is called high life, that the trader’s sides were shaken by laughter, even to the danger of his life; and he looked upon our adventurer as a miracle of sobriety and good sense. Having thus ingratiated himself with the uncle, Peregrine took his leave, and next day, in the forenoon, visited the niece in his chariot, after she had been admonished79 by her kinsman80 to behave with circumspection81, and cautioned against neglecting or discouraging the addresses of such a valuable admirer.
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1
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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affluent
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| adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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retrieve
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| vt.重新得到，收回；挽回，补救；检索 | |
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aspired
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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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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lucrative
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| adj.赚钱的，可获利的 | |
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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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28
presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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chimerical
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| adj.荒诞不经的，梦幻的 | |
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subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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prosecuting
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| 检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师 | |
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33
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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affluence
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| n.充裕，富足 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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frustrating
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| adj.产生挫折的，使人沮丧的，令人泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的现在分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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37
fraught
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| adj.充满…的，伴有(危险等)的；忧虑的 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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39
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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40
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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41
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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42
deterred
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| v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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44
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
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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46
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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47
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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48
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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49
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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50
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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51
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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52
certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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53
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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54
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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55
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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56
industriously
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57
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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58
ogled
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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60
nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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61
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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62
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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63
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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64
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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65
abhorred
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| v.憎恶( abhor的过去式和过去分词 )；（厌恶地）回避；拒绝；淘汰 | |
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66
expatiated
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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68
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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broker
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| n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排 | |
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72
restrictions
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| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
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73
inveighed
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| v.猛烈抨击，痛骂，谩骂( inveigh的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74
exorbitant
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| adj.过分的；过度的 | |
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commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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76
pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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77
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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80
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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81
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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