The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle

Chapter CIX

Volume Four, Chapter CIX 619 chapter cix. He receives an unexpected visit; and the clouds of misfortune begin to separate. While he pined in this forlorn condition, with an equal abhorrence of the world and himself, captain Gauntlet arrived in town, in order to employ his interest for promotion in the army; and, in consequence of his wife’s particular desire, made it his business to inquire for Peregrine, to whom he longed to be reconciled, even at the expence of a slight submission. But he could hear no tidings of him, at the place to which he was directed; and, on the supposition that our hero had gone to reside in the country, applied himself to his own business, with intention to renew his enquiries, after that affair should be transacted. He communicated his demands to his supposed patron, who had assumed the merit of making him a captain, and been gratified with a valuable present on that consideration; and was cajoled with hopes of succeeding in his present aim, by the same interest. Mean while, he became acquainted with one of the clerks belonging to the warof fice, whose advice and assistance, he was told, would be a furtherance to his scheme; and as he had occasion to discourse with this gentleman, upon the circumstances of his expectation, he learned that the nobleman, upon whom he depended, was a person of no consequence in the state, and altogether incapable of assisting him in his advancement . At the same time, his counsellor expressed his surprize that captain Gauntlet did not rather interest in his cause the noble peer, to whose good offices he owed his last commission. This remark introduced an explanation, by which Godfrey discovered, to his infinite astonishment, the mistake in which he had continued so long, with regard to his patron; tho’ he could not divine the motive which induced a nobleman, with whom he had no acquaintance or connection, to interpose his influence in his behalf. Whatsoever that might be, he thought it was his duty to make his acknowledgment; and for that purpose, went next morning to his house, where he was politely received, and given to understand, that Mr. Pickle was the person to whose friendship he was indebted for his last promotion. Inexpressible were the transports of gratitude, affection, and remorse, that took possession of the soul of Gauntlet, when this mystery was unfolded. “Good heaven! (cried he, lifting up his hands) have I lived so long in a state of animosity with my benefactor? I intended to have reconciled myself to him, at any rate, before I was sensible of this obligation; but now I shall not enjoy a moment’s quiet, until I have an opportunity of expressing to him my sense of his heroic friendship. I presume, from the nature of the favour conferred upon him, in my behalf, that Mr. Pickle is well known to your lordship ; and I should think myself extremely happy, if you could inform me in what part of the country he is to be found: for the person with whom he lodged, some time ago, could give me no intelligence of his motions.” 620 The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle The nobleman, touched with this instance of generous self-denial in Peregrine, as well as with the sensibility of his friend, lamented the unhappiness of our hero, while he gave Gauntlet to understand that he had been long disordered in his intellects, in consequence of having squandered away his fortune; and that his creditors had thrown him into the Fleet-prison: but whether he still continued in that confinement, or was released from his misfortunes by death, his lordship did not know, because he had never enquired. Godfrey no sooner received this intimation, than (his blood boiling with grief and impatience) he craved pardon for his abrupt departure; and quitting his informer on the instant, reimbarked in his hackney-coach, and ordered himself to be conveyed directly to the Fleet. As the vehicle proceeded along one side of the market, he was surprised with the appearance of Hatchway and Pipes, who stood cheapening collyflowers at a green-stall,1 their heads being cased in worsted night-caps, half covered with their hats, and a short tobacco-pipe in the mouth of each. He was rejoiced at sight of the two seamen, which he took for an happy omen of finding his friend; and, ordering the coachman to stop...