He is indulged with a second Audience by the Minister, of whose Sincerity1 he is convinced — His Pride and Ambition revive, and again are mortified2.
If the young gentleman’s money had been in other hands, perhaps the peer would have been at very little pains, either in gratifying his demand, or opposing his revenge; but he knew that the sale of the mortgage could not be effected without an inquiry3, to which he did not wish to be exposed. He, therefore, employed all his interest in procuring4 the solicited5 audience. This being granted, Peregrine, with great warmth and elocution, expatiated6 upon the injury his fortune had suffered in the affair of the borough7, for which he had stood candidate; he took notice of the disappointment he had sustained in the other election, reminded him of the promises with which he had been amused, and, in conclusion, desired to know what he had to expect from his favour. The minister having patiently heard him to an end, replied with a most gracious aspect, that he was very well informed of his merit and attachment9, and very much disposed to convince him of the regard which he paid to both; that till of late he did not know the nature of his expectations, neither had he the power of creating posts for those whom he was inclined to serve; but if Mr. Pickle10 would chalk out any feasible method by which he could manifest his sentiments of friendship, he should not be backward in executing the plan.
Peregrine, laying hold on this declaration, mentioned several places which he knew to be vacant. But the old evasion11 was still used; one of them was not in his department of business, another had been promised to the third son of a certain earl before the death of the last possessor, and a third was encumbered12 with a pension that ate up a good half of the appointments. In short, such obstructions13 were started to all his proposals as he could not possibly surmount14, though he plainly perceived they were no other than specious15 pretexts16 to cover the mortifying17 side of a refusal. Exasperated18, therefore, at this lack of sincerity and gratitude19, “I can easily foresee,” said he, “that such difficulties will never be wanting, when I have anything to ask; and for that reason will save myself the trouble of any further application.” So saying, he withdrew in a very abrupt20 manner, breathing defiance21 and revenge. But his patron, who did not think proper to drive him to extremities22, found means to persuade his honour to do something for the pacification23 of the young man’s choler; and that same evening our adventurer received a message from his lordship, desiring to see him immediately.
In consequence of this intimation, Pickle went to his house, and appeared before him with a very cloudy aspect, which signified to whom it might concern, that his temper was at present too much galled26 to endure reproof27; and therefore the sagacious peer forbore taking him to task for his behaviour during the audience he had obtained; but gave him to understand, that the minister, in consideration of his services, had sent him a bank-note of three hundred pounds, with a promise of the like sum yearly, until he could be otherwise provided for. This declaration in some measure appeased28 the youth, who condescended29 to accept the present; and, next levee day, made his acknowledgment to the donor30, who favoured him with a smile of infinite complacency, which entirely31 dissipated all the remains32 of his resentment33; for, as he could not possibly divine the true cause of his being temporized34 with, he looked upon this condescension35 as an undoubted proof of Sir Steady’s sincerity, and firmly believed that he would settle him in some place with the first opportunity, rather than continue to pay this pension out of his own pocket. In all probability, his prediction would have been verified, had not an unforeseen accident in a moment overwhelmed the barque of his interest at court.
Meanwhile, this short gleam of good fortune recalled the ideas of pride and ambition which he had formerly36 cherished. His countenance37 was again lifted up, his good-humour retrieved38, and his mien39 reexalted. Indeed, he began to be considered as a rising man by his fellow-dependents, who saw the particular notice with which he was favoured at the public levee; and some of them, for that reason, were at pains to court his good graces. He no longer shunned40 his former intimates, with whom a good part of his fortune had been spent, but made up to them in all places of public resort, with the same ease and familiarity as he had been used to express, and even re-embarked in some of their excesses, upon the strength of his sanguine41 expectation. Cadwallader and he renewed their consultations42 in the court of ridicule43; and divers44 exploits were achieved, to the confusion of those who had “sailed into the north of their displeasure.”
But these enjoyments45 were soon interrupted by a misfortune equally fatal and unexpected. His noble patron was seized with an apoplectic46 fit, from which he was recovered by the physicians, that they might despatch47 him according to rule, and in two months after they were called, he went the way of all flesh. Peregrine was very much afflicted48 at this event, not only on account of his friendship for the deceased, to whom he thought himself under many and great obligations, but also because he feared that his own interest would suffer a severe shock, by the removal of this nobleman, whom he considered as its chief support. He put himself therefore in mourning, out of regard to the memory of his departed friend, and exhibited genuine marks of sorrow and concern, though he had in reality more cause to grieve than he as yet imagined. When quarter-day came about, he applied49 to the steward50 of his lordship’s heir for the interest of his money, as usual; and the reader will readily own he had some reason to be surprised, when he was told he had no claim either to principal or interest. True it is, the manager talked very civilly as well as sensibly on the subject. “Your appearance, sir,” said he to Pickle, “screens you from all suspicion of an intended fraud; but the mortgage upon those lands you mention was granted to another person many years before you pretend to have lent that sum; and I have, this very morning, paid one quarter’s interest, as appears from this receipt, which you may peruse51 for your satisfaction.”
Peregrine was so thunderstruck at this information, which stripped him of his all, that he could not utter one word; a circumstance that did no great honour to his character in the opinion of the steward, who, in good earnest, began to entertain some doubts of his integrity. For, among the papers of the deceased, which he had examined, there was no writing, memorandum52, or receipt relating to this encumbrance53. After a long pause of stupefaction, Peregrine recollected54 himself so far as to observe, that either he was egregiously55 mistaken, or the predecessor56 of his lord the greatest villain57 upon earth. “But, Mr. Whatd’ycallum,” said he, “you must give me leave to tell you, that your bare assertion in this affair will by no means induce me to put up quietly with the loss of ten thousand pounds.”
Having thus expressed himself, he retired58 from the house so discontented at this demur59, that he scarce knew whether he moved upon his head or heels; and the park chancing to be in his way, he sauntered about, giving vent24 to a soliloquy in praise of his departed friend, the burden of which was a string of incoherent curses imprecated upon himself; till his transports by degrees giving way to his reflection, he deliberated seriously and sorrowfully upon his misfortune, and resolved to consult lawyers without loss of time. But, first of all, he proposed to make personal application to the heir, who, by a candid8 representation of the case, might be inclined to do him justice. In consequence of this determination, he next morning put his writings in his pocket, and went in a chair to the house of the young nobleman, to whom, being admitted by virtue60 of his appearance, and a small gratification to the porter, he explained the whole affair, corroborating61 his assertions with the papers which he produced, and describing the disgrace that would be entailed62 upon the memory of the deceased, should he be obliged to seek redress63 in a public court of justice.
The executor, who was a person of good breeding, condoled64 him upon his loss with great good-nature, though he did not seem much surprised at his account of the matter; but wished, that, since the fraud must have been committed, the damage had fallen upon the first mortgager, who, he said, was a thievish usurer, grown rich by the distresses65 of his fellow-creatures. In answer to our hero’s remonstrances66, he observed, that he did not look upon himself as obliged to pay the least regard to the character of his predecessor, who had used him with great barbarity and injustice67, not only in excluding him from his countenance and assistance, but also in prejudicing his inheritance as much as lay in his power; so that it could not be reasonably expected that he would pay ten thousand pounds of his debt, for which he had received no value. Peregrine, in spite of his chagrin68, could not help owning within himself, that there was a good deal of reason in this refusal. After having given loose to his indignation in the most violent invectives against the defunct69, he took his leave of the complaisant70 heir, and had immediate25 recourse to the advice of counsel, who assured him that he had an excellent plea, and was accordingly retained in the cause.
All these measures were taken in the first vigour71 of his exertion72, during which his spirits were so fluttered with the diversity of passions produced by his mischance, that he mistook for equanimity73 that which was no other than intoxication74; and two whole days elapsed before he attained75 a due sense of his misfortune. Then, indeed, he underwent a woeful self-examination; every circumstance of the inquiry added fresh pangs76 to his reflection; and the result of the whole was a discovery, that his fortune was totally consumed, and himself reduced to a state of the most deplorable dependence77. This suggestion alone might, in the anguish78 of his despondency, have driven him to some desperate course, had it not been in some measure qualified79 by the confidence of his lawyers, and the assurance of the minister, which, slender as the world hath generally found them, were the only bulwarks80 between misery81 and him.
The mind is naturally pliable82, and, provided it has the least hope to lean upon, adapts itself wonderfully to the emergencies of fortune, especially when the imagination is gay and luxuriant. This was the case with our adventurer; instead of indulging the melancholy83 ideas which his loss inspired, he had recourse to the flattering delusions84 of hope, soothing85 himself with unsubstantial plans of future greatness, and endeavouring to cover what was past with the veil of oblivion. After some hesitation86, he resolved to make Crabtree acquainted with his misfortune, that once for all he might pass the ordeal87 of his satire88, without subjecting himself to a long series of sarcastic89 hints and doubtful allusions90, which he could not endure. He accordingly took the first opportunity of telling him that he was absolutely ruined by the perfidy91 of his patron, and desired that he would not aggravate92 his affliction by those cynical93 remarks which were peculiar94 to men of his misanthropical95 disposition96. Cadwallader listened to this declaration with internal surprise, which, however, produced no alteration97 in his countenance; and, after some pause, observed, that our hero had no reason to look for any new observation from him upon this event, which he had long foreseen, and daily expected, and exhorted98 him, with an ironical99 sneer100, to console himself with the promise of the minister, who would doubtless discharge the debts of his deceased bosom101 friend.
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1
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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expatiated
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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borough
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| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
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candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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evasion
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| n.逃避，偷漏(税) | |
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encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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obstructions
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| n.障碍物( obstruction的名词复数 )；阻碍物；阻碍；阻挠 | |
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surmount
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| vt.克服；置于…顶上 | |
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specious
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| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
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pretexts
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| n.借口，托辞( pretext的名词复数 ) | |
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mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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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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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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pacification
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| n. 讲和，绥靖，平定 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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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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galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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appeased
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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donor
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| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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temporized
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| v.敷衍( temporize的过去式和过去分词 )；拖延；顺应时势；暂时同意 | |
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condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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retrieved
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| v.取回( retrieve的过去式和过去分词 )；恢复；寻回；检索（储存的信息） | |
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mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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consultations
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| n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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apoplectic
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| adj.中风的；愤怒的；n.中风患者 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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51
peruse
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| v.细读，精读 | |
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52
memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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encumbrance
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| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
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54
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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egregiously
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| adv.过份地，卓越地 | |
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predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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demur
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| v．表示异议，反对 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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corroborating
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| v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的现在分词 ) | |
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entailed
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| 使…成为必要( entail的过去式和过去分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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redress
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| n.赔偿，救济，矫正；v.纠正，匡正，革除 | |
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condoled
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| v.表示同情，吊唁( condole的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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distresses
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| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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defunct
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| adj.死亡的；已倒闭的 | |
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complaisant
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| adj.顺从的，讨好的 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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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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bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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pliable
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| adj.易受影响的；易弯的；柔顺的，易驾驭的 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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delusions
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| n.欺骗( delusion的名词复数 )；谬见；错觉；妄想 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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86
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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87
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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88
satire
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| n.讽刺，讽刺文学，讽刺作品 | |
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89
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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90
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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91
perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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92
aggravate
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| vt.加重(剧)，使恶化；激怒，使恼火 | |
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cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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95
misanthropical
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96
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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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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ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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100
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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101
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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