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The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle

T >> Tobias Smollett >> The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle




The ladies were accordingly conducted to the coach, and Jack proposed
to the captain, that, for the sake of the joke, the bridegroom
should be plied with liquor, in such a manner as would effectually
disable him from enjoying the fruits of his good-fortune for one night
at least. Gauntlet seemed to relish the scheme, and they prevailed
upon Pickle to accompany them to a certain tavern, on pretence of
drinking a farewell glass to a single life: there the bottle was
circulated, till Hatchway's brain began to suffer innovation. As
he had secured our hero's hat and sword, he felt no apprehension of
an elopement, which, however, was effected; and the youth hastened
on the wings of love to the arms of his enchanting bride. He found
Crabtree in a parlour waiting for his return, and disposed to
entertain him with a lecture upon temperance; to which he paid very
little attention, but ringing for Emilia's maid, desired to know
if her mistress was in bed. Being answered in the affirmative, he
sent her up-stairs to announce his arrival, undressed himself to a
loose gown and slippers, and, wishing the misanthrope good night,
after having desired to see him next day, followed in person to
the delicious scene, where he found her elegantly dished out, the
fairest daughter of chastity and love.

When he approached, she was overwhelmed with confusion, and hid
her lovely face from his transporting view. Mrs. Gauntlet, seeing
his eyes kindled at the occasion, kissed her charming sister, who,
throwing her snowy arms about her neck, would have detained her in
the room, had not Peregrine gently disengaged her confidante from
her embrace, and conducted her trembling to the door; which having
bolted and barricadoed, he profited by his good fortune, and his
felicity was perfect.

Next day he rose about noon, and found his three friends assembled,
when he learned that Jack had fallen in his own snare, and been
obliged to lie in the same tavern where he fell; a circumstance of
which he was so much ashamed, that Peregrine and his wife escaped
many jokes, which he would have certainly cracked, had he not lain
under the imputation of this disgrace. In half an hour after he
came down, Mrs. Pickle appeared with Sophy, blushing like Aurora
or the goddess of health, and sending forth emanations of beauty
unparalleled. She was complimented upon her change of situation
by all present, and by none more warmly than by old Crabtree, who
declared himself so well satisfied with his friend's fortune, as
to be almost reconciled to that institution, against which he had
declaimed during the best part of his life.

An express was immediately despatched to Mrs. Gauntlet, with an
account of her daughter's marriage: a town-house was hired, and a
handsome equipage set up, in which the new-married pair appeared
at all public places, to the astonishment of our adventurer's
fair-weather friends, and the admiration of all the world: for,
in point of figure, such another couple was not to be found in the
whole United Kingdom. Envy despaired, and detraction was struck
dumb, when our hero's new accession of fortune was consigned
to the celebration of public fame: Emilia attracted the notice of
all observers, from the pert Templar to the Sovereign himself, who
was pleased to bestow encomiums upon the excellence of her beauty.
Many persons of consequence, who had dropped the acquaintance of
Peregrine in the beginning of his decline, now made open efforts to
cultivate his friendship anew; but he discouraged all these advances
with the most mortifying disdain; and one day when the nobleman,
whom he had formerly obliged, came up to him in the drawing-room,
with the salutation of "Your servant, Mr. Pickle," he eyed him with
a look of ineffable contempt, saying, "I suppose your lordship is
mistaken in your man," and turned his head another way in presence
of the whole court.

When he had made a circuit round all the places frequented by
the beau-monde, to the utter confusion of those against whom his
resentment was kindled; paid off his debts, and settled his money
matters in town, Hatchway was dismissed to the country, in order to
prepare for the reception of his fair Emilia. In a few days after
his departure, the whole company, Cadwallader himself included,
set out for his father's house, and, in their way, took up Mrs.
Gauntlet, the mother, who was sincerely rejoiced to see our hero in
the capacity of her son-in-law. From her habitation they proceeded
homewards at an easy pace, and, amidst the acclamations of the whole
parish, entered their own house, where Emilia was received in the
most tender manner by Mr. Clover's wife, who had provided everything
for her ease and accommodation; and, next day, surrendered
unto her the management of her own household affairs.

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