He becomes Melancholy and Despondent--Is favoured with the condescending
Letter from his Uncle--Reconciles himself to his Governor, and sets out
with Emilia and her Friend for Mrs. Gauntlet's House.
Peregrine, fortified as he was with pride and indignation, did not fail
to feel the smarting suggestions of his present situation: after having
lived so long in an affluent and imperious manner, he could ill brook
the thoughts of submitting to the mortifying exigencies of life. All the
gaudy schemes of pomp and pleasure, which his luxuriant imagination had
formed, began to dissolve; a train of melancholy ideas took possession
of his thoughts; and the prospect of losing Emilia was not the least
part of his affliction. Though he endeavoured to suppress the chagrin
that preyed upon his heart, he could not conceal the disturbance of his
mind from the penetration of that amiable young lady, who sympathized
with him in her heart, though she could not give her tongue the liberty
of asking the cause of his disorder; for, notwithstanding all the ardour
of his addresses, he never could obtain from her the declaration of
a mutual flame; because, though he had hitherto treated her with the
utmost reverence of respect, he had never once mentioned the final
aim of his passion. However honourable she supposed it to be, she had
discernment enough to foresee that vanity or interest, co-operating with
the levity of youth, might one day deprive her of her lover, and she was
too proud to give him any handle of exulting at her expense. Although
he was received by her with the most distinguished civility, and even
an intimacy of friendship, all his solicitations could never extort
from her an acknowledgment of love: on the contrary, being of a gay
disposition, she sometimes coquetted with other admirers, that his
attention thus whetted might never abate, and that he might see she had
other resources in case he should flag in his affection.
This being the prudential plan on which she acted, it cannot be supposed
that she would condescend to inquire into the state of his thoughts when
she saw him thus affected; but she, nevertheless, imposed that task
on her cousin and confidant, who, as they walked together in the park
observed that he seemed to be out of humour. When this is the case, such
a question generally increases the disease; at least it had that effect
upon Peregrine, who replied somewhat peevishly, “I assure you, madam,
you never were more mistaken in your observations.”--“I think so,
too,” said Emilia, “for I never saw Mr. Pickle in higher spirits.” This
ironical encomium completed his confusion: he affected to smile, but it
was a smile of anguish, and in his heart he cursed the vivacity of both.
He could not for his soul recollect himself so as to utter one connected
sentence; and the suspicion that they observed every circumstance of
his behaviour, threw such a damp on his spirits that he was quite
overwhelmed with shame and resentment, when Sophy, casting her eyes
towards the gate, said, “Yonder is your servant, Mr. Pickle, with
another man who seems to have a wooden leg.” Peregrine started at this
intelligence, and immediately underwent sundry changes of complexion,
knowing that his fate, in a great measure, depended upon the information
he would receive from his friend.
Hatchway, advancing to the company, after a brace of sea bows to the
ladies, took the youth aside, and put the commodore's letter into
his hand, which threw him into such an agitation that he could scarce
pronounce, “Ladies, will you give me leave?” When, in consequence of
their permission, he attempted to open the billet, he fumbled with such
manifest disorder, that his mistress, who watched his motions, began to
think that there was something very interesting in the message; and so
much was she affected with his concern, that she was fain to turn her
head another way, and wipe the tears from her lovely eyes.
Meanwhile, Peregrine no sooner read the first sentence than his
countenance, which before was overcast with a deep gloom, began to be
lighted up, and every feature unbending by degrees, he recovered his
serenity. Having perused the letter, his eyes sparkling with joy and
gratitude, he hugged the lieutenant in his arms, and presented him to
the ladies as one of his best friends. Jack met with a most gracious
reception, and shook Emilia by the hand, telling her, with the familiar
appellation of “old acquaintance” that he did not care how soon he was
master of such another clean-going frigate as herself. The whole company
partook of this favourable change that evidently appeared in our lover's
recollection, and enlivened his conversation with such an uncommon flow
of sprightliness and good humour, as even made an impression on the iron
countenance of Pipes himself, who actually smiled with satisfaction as
he walked behind them.
The evening being pretty far advanced, they directed their course
homeward; and while the valet attended Hatchway to the inn, Peregrine
escorted the ladies to their lodgings, where he owned the justness of
Sophy's remark in saying he was out of humour, and told them he had been
extremely chagrined at a difference which had happened between him and
his uncle, to whom, by the letter which they had seen him receive, he
now found himself happily reconciled.
Having received their congratulations, and declined staying to sup
with them, on account of the longing desire he had to converse with his
friend Jack, he took his leave, and repaired to the inn, where Hatchway
informed him of everything that had happened in the garrison upon his
presentations. Far from being disgusted, he was perfectly well pleased
with the prospect of going abroad, which flattered his vanity and
ambition, gratified his thirst after knowledge, and indulged that turn
for observation, for which he had been remarkable from his most
tender years. Neither did he believe a short absence would tend to the
prejudice of his love, but, on the contrary, enhance the value of his
heart, because he should return better accomplished, consequently, a
more welcome offering to his mistress. Elevated with these sentiments,
his heart dilated with joy; and the sluices of his natural benevolence
being opened by this happy turn of his affairs, he sent his compliment
to Mr. Jolter, to whom he had not spoken during a whole week, and
desired he would favour Mr. Hatchway and him with his company at supper.
The governor was not weak enough to decline this invitation; in
consequence of which he forthwith appeared, and was cordially
welcomed by the relenting pupil, who expressed his sorrow for the
misunderstanding which had prevailed between them, and assured him that
for the future he would avoid giving him any just cause of complaint.
Jolter, who did not want affections, was melted by this acknowledgment,
which he could not have expected; and earnestly protested, that his
chief study had always been, and ever should be, to promote Mr. Pickle's
interest and happiness.
The best part of the night being spent in the circulation of a cheerful
glass, the company broke up; and next morning Peregrine went out with
a view of making his mistress acquainted with his uncle's intention
of sending him out of the kingdom for his improvement, and of saying
everything which he thought necessary for the interest of his love. He
found her at breakfast with her cousin; and, as he was very full of
the subject of his visit, had scarce fixed himself in his seat, when he
brought it upon the carpet, by asking, with a smile, if the ladies had
any commands for Paris? Emilia at this question began to stare, and her
confidant desired to know who was going thither? He no sooner gave
to understand that he himself intended in a short time to visit that
capital, than his mistress with great precipitation wished him a good
journey, and affected to talk with indifference the pleasures he would
enjoy in France; but when he seriously assured Sophy, who asked if he
was in earnest, and his uncle actually insisted upon his making a short
tour, the tears gushed in poor Emilia's eyes, and she was at great pains
to conceal her concern, by observing that the tea was so scalding hot,
as to make her eyes water. This pretext was too thin to impose upon her
lover, or even deceive the observation of her friend Sophy, who, after
breakfast, took an opportunity of quitting the room.
Thus left by themselves, Peregrine imparted to her what he had learnt
of the commodore's intention, without, however, mentioning a syllable
of his being offended at their correspondence; and accompanied his
information with such fervent vows of eternal constancy and solemn
promises of a speedy return, that Emily's heart, which had been invaded
by a suspicion that this scheme of travelling was an effect of her
lover's inconstancy, began to be more at ease; and she could not help
signifying her approbation of his design.
This affair being amicably compromised, he asked how soon she proposed
to set out for her mother's house; and understanding that her departure
was fixed for next day but one, and that her Cousin Sophy intended to
accompany her in her father's chariot, he repeated his intention of
attending her. In the mean time he dismissed the governor and the
lieutenant to the garrison, with his compliments to his aunt and the
commodore, and a faithful promise of his being with them in six days at
farthest. These previous measures being taken, he, attended by Pipes,
set out with the ladies; and they had also a convoy for twelve miles
from Sophy's father, who, at parting, recommended them piously to
the care of Peregrine, with whom by this time, he was perfectly well
acquainted.