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The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle

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




Confiding in this friendly protestation, he appeared unconcerned
on the day that was appointed for his punishment; and when he was
called to his destiny, advanced the scene, attended by the greatest
part of the scholars, who intimated their determination to the
master, and proposed that Peregrine should be forgiven. The superior
behaved with that dignity of demeanour which became his place,
represented the folly and presumption of their demand, reprehended
them for their audacious proceeding, and ordered every boy to his
respective station. They obeyed his command, and our unfortunate
hero was publicly horsed, in terrorem of all whom it might concern.

This disgrace had a very sensible effect upon the mind of Peregrine,
who, having by this time, passed the fourteenth year of his age,
began to adopt the pride and sentiments of a man. Thus dishonourably
stigmatized, he was ashamed to appear in public as usual; he was
incensed against his companions for their infidelity and irresolution,
and plunged into a profound reverie that lasted several weeks,
during which he shook off his boyish connections, and fixed his
view upon objects which he thought more worthy of his attention.

In the course of his gymnastic exercises, at which he was very
expert, he contracted intimacies with several youths who were greatly
his superiors in point of age, and who, pleased with his aspiring
genius and address, introduced him into parties of gallantry which
strongly captivated his inclination. He was by nature particularly
adopted for succeeding in all adventures of this kind: over and above
a most engaging person that improved with his years, he possessed
a dignified assurance, an agreeable ferocity which enhanced
the conquest of the fair who had the good fortune to enslave him,
unlimited generosity, and a fund of humour which never failed
to please. Nor was he deficient in the more solid accomplishments
of youth: he had profited in his studies beyond expectation; and
besides that sensibility of discernment which is the foundation
of taste, and in consequence of which he distinguished and enjoyed
the beauties of the classics, he had already given several specimens
of a very promising poetic talent.

With this complexion and these qualifications, no wonder that
our hero attracted the notice and affections of the young Delias
in town, whose hearts had just begun to flutter for they knew not
what. Inquiries were made concerning his condition; and no sooner
were his expectations known, than he was invited and caressed by all
the parents, while the daughters vied with each other in treating
him with particular complacency. He inspired love and emulation
wherever he appeared: envy and jealous rage followed of course; so
that he became a very desirable, though a very dangerous acquaintance.
His moderation was not equal to his success: his vanity took the lead
of his passions, dissipating his attention, which might otherwise
have fixed him to one object; and he was possessed with the rage of
increasing the number of his conquests. With this view he frequented
public walks, concerts, and assemblies, became remarkably rich and
fashionable in his clothes, gave entertainments to the ladies, and
was in the utmost hazard of turning out a most egregious coxcomb.

While his character thus wavered between the ridicule of some and
the regard of others, an accident happened which by contracting
his view to one object, detached him from those vain pursuits that
would in time have plunged him into an abyss of folly and contempt.
Being one evening at the ball which is always given to the ladies
at the time of the races, the person acted as master of the
ceremonies, knowing how fond Mr. Pickle was of every opportunity
to display himself, came up, and told him, that there was a fine
young creature at the other end of the room, who seemed to have
a great inclination to dance a minuet, but wanted a partner, the
gentleman who attended her being in boots.

Peregrine's vanity being aroused at this intimation, he went up to
reconnoitre the young lady, and was struck with admiration at her
beauty. She seemed to be of his own age, was tall, though slender,
exquisitely shaped; her hair was auburn, and in such plenty, that
the barbarity of dress had not been able to prevent it from shading
both sides of her forehead, which was high and polished; the contour
of her face was oval; her nose very little raised into the aquiline
form, that contributed to the spirit and dignity of her aspect;
her mouth was small; her lips plump, juicy, and delicious, her
teeth regular and white as driven snow, her complexion incredibly
delicate, and glowing with health; and her full blue eyes beamed
forth vivacity and love: her mien was at the same time commanding
and engaging, her address perfectly genteel, and her whole appearance
so captivating, that our young Adonis looked, and was overcome.

He no sooner recollected himself from his astonishment, than he
advanced to her with a graceful air of respect, and begged she would
do him the honour to walk a minuet with him. She seemed particularly
pleased with his application, and very frankly complied with his
request. This pair was too remarkable to escape the particular notice
of the company; Mr. Pickle was well known by almost everybody in the
room, but his partner was altogether a new face and of consequence
underwent the criticism of all the ladies in the assembly. One
whispered, "She has a good complexion, but don't you think she is a
little awry?" a second pitied her for her masculine nose; a third
observed, that she was awkward for want of seeing company; a
fourth distinguished something very bold in her countenance; and,
in short, there was not a beauty in her whole composition which
the glass of envy did not pervert into a blemish.

The men, however, looked upon her with different eyes; among
them her appearance produced a universal murmur of applause: they
encircled the space on which she danced, and were enchanted by her
graceful motion. While they launched out in the praise of her, they
expressed their displeasure at the good fortune of her partner,
whom they d--d for a little finical coxcomb, that was too much
engrossed by the contemplation of his own person, to discern or
deserve the favour of his fate. He did not hear, therefore could
not repine at these invectives; but while they imagined he indulged
his vanity, a much more generous passion had taken possession of
his heart.

Instead of that petulance of gaiety for which he had been distinguished
in his public appearance, he now gave manifest signs of confusion
and concern: he danced with an anxiety which impeded his performance,
and blushed to the eyes at every false step he made. Though this
extraordinary agitation was overlooked by the men, it could not
escape the observation of the ladies, who perceived it with equal
surprise and resentment; and when Peregrine led this fair unknown
to her seat, expressed their pique in an affected titter, which
broke from every mouth at the same instant--as if all of them had
been informed by the same spirit.

Peregrine was nettled at this unmannerly mark of disapprobation,
and, in order to increase their chagrin, endeavoured to enter
into particular conversation with their fair rival. The young lady
herself, who neither wanted penetration nor the consciousness of her
own accomplishments, resented their behaviour, though she triumphed
at the cause of it, and gave her partner all the encouragement
he could desire. Her mother, who was present, thanked him for his
civility in taking such notice of a stranger, and he received a
compliment of the same nature from the young gentleman in boots,
who was her own brother.

If he was charmed with her appearance, he was quite ravished with
her discourse, which was sensible, spirited, and gay. Her frank
and sprightly demeanour excited his own confidence and good-humour;
and he described to her the characters of those females who had
honoured them with such a spiteful mark of distinction, in terms
so replete with humorous satire, that she seemed to listen with
particular complacency of attention, and distinguished every nymph
thus ridiculed with such a significant glance as overwhelmed her
with chagrin and mortification. In short, they seemed to relish
each other's conversation, during which our young Damon acquitted
himself with great skill in all the duties of gallantry: he laid
hold of proper opportunities to express his admiration of her
charms, had recourse to the silent rhetoric of tender looks, breathed
divers insidious sighs, and attached himself wholly to her during
the remaining part of the entertainment.

When the company broke up, he attended her to her lodgings, and
took leave of her with a squeeze of the hand, after having obtained
permission to visit her next morning, and been informed by the
mother that her name was Miss Emilia Gauntlet.

All night long he closed not an eye, but amused himself with plans
of pleasure, which his imagination suggested in consequence of this
new acquaintance. He rose with the lark, adjusted his hair into
an agreeable negligence of curl, and dressing himself in a genteel
gray frock trimmed with silver binding, waited with the utmost
impatience for the hour of ten, which no sooner struck than he hied
him to the place of appointment, and inquiring for Miss gauntlet,
was shown into a parlour. Here he had not waited above ten minutes,
when Emilia entered in a most enchanting undress, with all the
graces of nature playing about her person, and in a moment riveted
the chains of his slavery beyond the power of accident to unbind.

Her mother being still abed, and her brother gone to give orders
about the chaise, in which they proposed to return that same day to
their own habitation, he enjoyed her company a whole hour, during
which he declared his love in the most passionate terms, and begged
that he might be admitted into the number of those admirers whom
she permitted to visit and adore her.

She affected to look upon his vows and protestations as the ordinary
effect of gallantry, and very obligingly assured him that were she
to live in that place she should be glad to see him often; but as
the spot on which she resided was at a considerable distance, she
could not expect he would go so far, upon such a trifling occasion, as
to take the trouble of providing himself with her mamma's permission.

To this favourable hint he with all the eagerness of the most
fervent passion, that he had uttered nothing but the genuine dictates
of his heart; that he desired nothing so much as an opportunity
of evincing the sincerity of his professions; and that, though he
lived at the extremity of the kingdom, he would find means to lay
himself at her feet, provided he could visit her with her mother's
consent, which he assured her he would not fail to solicit.

She then gave him to understand that her habitation was about
sixteen miles front Winchester, in a village which she named, and
where, as he could easily collect from her discourse, he would be
no unwelcome guest.

In the midst of this communication they were joined by Mrs. Gauntlet,
who received him with great courtesy, thanking him again for his
politeness to Emy at the ball, and anticipated his intention by
saying that she should be very glad to see him at her house, if
ever his occasions should call him that way.





CHAPTER XVIII.




He inquires into the Situation of this young Lady, with whom he is
enamoured--Elopes from School--Is found by the Lieutenant, conveyed
to Winchester, and sends a Letter with a copy of verses to his
Mistress.


He was transported with pleasure at this invitation, which he assured
her he should not neglect; and after a little more conversation
on general topics, took his leave of the charming Emilia and her
prudent mamma, who had perceived the first emotions of Mr. Pickle's
passion for her daughter, and been at some pains to inquire about
his family and fortune.

Neither was Peregrine less inquisitive about the situation and
pedigree of his new mistress, who, he learned, was the only daughter
of a field-officer, who died before he had it in his power to
make suitable provision for his children; that the widow lived in
a frugal though decent manner on her pension, assisted by the bounty
of her relations; that the son carried arms as a volunteer in the
company which his father had commanded; and that Emilia had been
educated in London, at the expense of a rich uncle, who was seized
with the whim of marrying at the age of fifty-five; in consequence
of which his niece had returned to her mother, without any visible
dependence, except on her own conduct and qualifications.

This account, though it could not diminish his affection, nevertheless
alarmed his pride; for his warm imagination had exaggerated all
his own prospects; and he began to fear that his passion for Emilia
might be thought to derogate from the dignity of his situation.
The struggle between his interest and love produced a perplexity
which had an evident effect upon his behaviour: he became pensive,
solitary, and peevish; avoided public diversions; and grew so remarkably
negligent in his dress, that he was scarce distinguishable by his
own acquaintance. This contention of thoughts continued several
weeks, at the end of which the charms of Emilia triumphed over
every other consideration. Having received a supply of money from
the commodore, who acted towards him with great generosity, he
ordered Pipes to put up some linen and other necessaries in a sort
of knapsack, which he could conveniently carry; and, thus attended,
set out early one morning on foot for the village where his charmer
lived, at which he arrived before two o'clock in the afternoon;
having chosen this method of travelling that his route might not
be so easily discovered, as it must have been had he hired horses,
or taken a place in the stage-coach.

The first thing he did was to secure a convenient lodging at the
inn where he dined; then he shifted himself, and, according to the
direction he had received, went to the house of Mrs. Gauntlet in
a transport of joyous expectation. As he approached the gate, his
agitation increased; he knocked with impatience and concern, the
door opened, and he had actually asked if Mrs. Gauntlet was at
home, before he perceived that the portress was no other than his
dear Emilia. She was not without emotion at the unexpected sight
of her lover, who instantly recognising his charmer. obeyed the
irresistible impulse of his love, and caught the fair creature in
his arms. Nor did she seem offended at this forwardness of behaviour,
which might have displeased another of a less open disposition, or
less used to the freedom of a sensible education; but her natural
frankness had been encouraged and improved by the easy and familiar
intercourse in which she had been bred; and therefore, instead
of reprimanding him with a severity of look, she with great good
humour rallied him upon his assurance, which, she observed, was
undoubtedly the effect of his own conscious merit; and conducted
him into a parlour, where he found her mother, who, in very polite
terms, expressed her satisfaction at seeing him within her house.

After tea, Miss Emy proposed an evening walk, which they enjoyed
through a variety of little copses and lawns, watered by a most
romantic stream, that quite enchanted the imagination of Peregrine.

It was late before they returned from this agreeable excursion, and
when our lover wished the ladies good night, Mrs. Gauntlet insisted
upon his staying to supper, and treated him with particular
demonstrations of regard and affection. As her economy was not
encumbered with an unnecessary number of domestics, her own presence
was often required in different parts of the house, so that the
young gentleman was supplied with frequent opportunities of promoting
his suit by all the tender oaths and insinuations that his passion
could suggest. He protested her idea had taken such entire possession
of his heart, that finding himself unable to support her absence
one day longer, he had quitted his studies, and left his governor
by stealth, that he might visit the object of his adoration, and
be blessed in her company for a few days without interruption.

She listened to his addresses with such affability as denoted
approbation and delight, and gently chided him as a thoughtless
truant, but carefully avoided the confession of a mutual flame;
because she discerned, in the midst of all his tenderness, a levity
of pride which she durst not venture to trust with such a declaration.
Perhaps she was confirmed in this caution by her mother, who very
wisely, in her civilities to him, maintained a sort of ceremonious
distance, which she thought not only requisite for the honour and
interest of her family, but likewise for her own exculpation, should
she ever be taxed with having encouraged or abetted him in the
imprudent sallies of his youth; yet, notwithstanding this affected
reserve, he was treated with such distinction by both, that he was
ravished with his situation, and became more and more enamoured
every day.

While he remained under the influence of this sweet intoxication,
his absence produced great disturbance at Winchester. Mr. Jolter
was grievously afflicted at his abrupt departure, which alarmed
him the more, as it happened after a long fit of melancholy which
he had perceived in his pupil. He communicated his apprehensions to
the master of the school, who advised him to apprise the commodore of
his nephew's disappearance, and in the mean time inquire at all the
inns in town, whether he had hired horses, or any sort of carriage,
for his conveyance, or was met with on the road by any person who
could give an account of the direction in which he travelled.

The scrutiny, though performed with great diligence and minuteness,
was altogether ineffectual; they could obtain no intelligence of
the runaway. Mr. Trunnion was well distracted at the news of his
flight; he raved with great fury at the imprudence of Peregrine,
whom in his first transports he d--d as an ungrateful deserter;
then he cursed Hatchway and Pipes, who he swore had foundered the
lad by their pernicious counsels; and, lastly, transferred his
execrations upon Jolter, because he had not kept a better look-out;
finally, he made an apostrophe to that son of a b-- the gout,
which for the present disabled him from searching for his nephew
in person. That he might not, however, neglect any means in his
power, he immediately despatched expresses to all the sea-port
towns on that coast, that he might be prevented from leaving the
kingdom; and the lieutenant, at his own desire, was sent across
the country, in quest of this young fugitive.

Four days had he unsuccessfully carried on his inquiries with great
accuracy, when, resolving to return by Winchester, where he hoped
to meet with some hints of intelligence by which he might profit in
his future search, he struck off the common road to take the benefit
of a nearer cut; and finding himself benighted near a village, took
up his lodgings at the first inn to which his horse directed him.
Having bespoke something for supper, and retired to his chamber,
where he amused himself with a pipe, he heard a confused noise of
rustic jollity, which being all of a sudden interrupted, after a
short pause his ear was saluted with the voice of Pipes, who, at
the solicitation of the company, began to entertain them with a
song.

Hatchway instantly recognised the well-known sound, in which, indeed,
he could not possibly be mistaken, as nothing in nature bore the
least resemblance to it; he threw his pipe into the chimney, and,
snatching up one of his pistols, ran immediately to the apartment
from whence the voice issued; he no sooner entered, than, distinguishing
his old ship-mate in a crowd of country peasants, he in a moment
sprang upon him, and, clapping his pistol to his breast, exclaimed,
" D--n you, Pipes, you are a dead man, if you don't immediately
produce young master."

This menacing application had a much greater effect upon the
company than upon Tom, who, looking at the lieutenant with great
tranquility, replied, "Why so I can, Master Hatchway."--"What! safe
and sound?" cried the other. "As a roach," answered Pipes, so much
to the satisfaction of his friend Jack, that he shook him by the
hand, and desired him to proceed with his song. This being performed
and the reckoning discharged, the two friends adjourned to the other
room, where the lieutenant was informed of the manner in which the
young gentleman had made his elopement from college, as well as
of the other particulars of his present situation, as far as they
had fallen within the sphere of his comprehension.

While they sat thus conferring together, Peregrine, having taken
leave of his mistress for the night, came home, and was not a
little surprised, when Hatchway, entering his chamber in his sea
attitude, thrust out his hand by way of salutation. His old pupil
received him as usual, with great cordiality, and expressed his
astonishment at meeting him in that place; but when he understood
the cause and intention of his arrival, he started with concern;
and, his visage glowing with indignation, told him he was old
enough to be judge of his own conduct, and, when he should see it
convenient, would return of himself; but those who thought he was
to be compelled to his duty, would find themselves egregiously
mistaken.

The lieutenant assured him, that for his own part he had no
intention to offer him the least violence; but, at the same time, he
represented to him the danger of incensing the commodore, who was
already almost distracted on account of his absence: and, in short,
conveyed his arguments, which were equally obvious and valid, in
such expressions of friendship and respect, that Peregrine yielded
to his remonstrances, and promised to accompany him next day to
Winchester.

Hatchway, overjoyed at the success of his negotiation, went
immediately to the hostler and bespoke a post-chaise for Mr. Pickle
and his man with whom he afterwards indulged himself in a double
can of rumbo, and, when the night was pretty far advanced, left the
lover to his repose, or rather to the thorns of his own meditation;
for he slept not one moment, being incessantly tortured with the
prospect of parting with his divine Emilia, who had now acquired
the most absolute empire over his soul. One minute he proposed to
depart early in the morning, without seeing this enchantress, in
whose bewitching presence he durst not trust his own resolution;
then the thoughts of leaving her in such an abrupt and disrespectful
manner interposed in favour of his love and honour. This war of
sentiments kept him all night upon the rack, and it was time to
rise before he had determined to visit his charmer, and candidly
impart the motives that induced him to leave her.

He accordingly repaired to her mother's house with a heavy heart,
being attended to the gate by Hatchway, who did not choose to leave
him alone; and being admitted, found Emilia just risen, and, in
his opinion, more beautiful than ever.

Alarmed at his early visit, and the gloom that overspread
his countenance, she stood in silent expectation of hearing some
melancholy tidings; and it was not till after a considerable pause,
that he collected resolution enough to tell her he was come to take
his leave. Though she strove to conceal her sorrow, nature was not
to be suppressed: every feature of her countenance saddened in
a moment; and it was not without the utmost difficulty that she
kept her lovely eyes from overflowing. He saw the situation of her
thoughts, and, in order to alleviate her concern, assured her he
should find means to see her again in a very few weeks: meanwhile
he communicated his reasons for departing, in which she readily
acquiesced; and having mutually consoled each other, their transports
of grief subsided: and before Mrs. Gauntlet came downstairs, they
were in a condition to behave with great decency and resignation.

This good lady expressed her concern when she learned his resolution,
saying, she hoped his occasions and inclinations would permit him
to favour them with his agreeable company another time.

The lieutenant, who began to be uneasy at Peregrine's stay, knocked
at the door, and, being introduced by his friend, had the honour of
breakfasting with the ladies; on which occasion his heart received
such a rude shock from the charms of Emilia, that he afterwards
made a merit with his friend of having constrained himself so far,
as to forbear commencing his professed rival.

At length they bade adieu to their kind entertainers; and in less
than an hour setting out from the inn, arrived about two o'clock
in Winchester, where Mr. Jolter was overwhelmed with joy at their
appearance.

The nature of this adventure being unknown to all except those who
could be depended upon, everybody who inquired about the cause of
Peregrine's absence, was told that he had been with a relation in
the country, and the master condescended to overlook his indiscretion;
so that Hatchway, seeing everything settled to the satisfaction
of his friend, returned to the garrison, and gave the commodore an
account of his expedition.

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