The Adventures of Peregrine PickleSmollett, T. (Tobias)
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The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle
Smollett, T. (Tobias)
Adventure stories; Fiction; Picaresque literature
Peregrine, thus earnestly solicited, desired, that since she was bent
upon displaying her generosity, she would not bestow upon him any
pecuniary gratification, but honour him with some trinket, as a mark of
consideration; because he himself had such a particular value for the
fellow, on account of his attachment and fidelity, that he should be
sorry to see him treated on the footing of a common mercenary domestic.
There was not one jewel in the possession of this grateful young lady,
that she would not have gladly given as a recompense, or badge of
distinction, to her rescuer; but his master pitched upon a seal ring of
no great value that hung at her watch, and Pipes, being called in, had
permission to accept that testimony of Miss Sophy's favour. Tom received
it accordingly with sundry scrapes; and, having kissed it with great
devotion, put it on his little finger, and strutted off, extremely proud
of his acquisition.
Emilia, with a most enchanting sweetness of aspect, told her lover that
he had instructed her how to behave towards him; and taking a diamond
ring from her finger, desired he would wear it for her sake. He received
the pledge as became him, and presented another in exchange, which
she at first refused, alleging that it would destroy the intent of her
acknowledgment; but Peregrine assured her he had accepted her jewel, not
as a proof of her gratitude, but as the mark of her love; and that if
she refused a mutual token, he should look upon himself as the object of
her disdain. Her eyes kindled, and her cheeks glowed with resentment
at this impudent intimation, which she considered as an unseasonable
insult, and the young gentleman, perceiving her emotion, stood corrected
for his temerity, and asked pardon for the liberty of his remonstrance,
which he hoped she would ascribe to the prevalence of that principle
alone, which he had always taken pride in avowing.
Sophy, seeing him disconcerted, interposed in his behalf, and chid her
cousin for having practised such unnecessary affectation; upon which,
Emilia, softened into compliance, held out her finger as a signal of
her condescension. Peregrine put on the ring with great eagerness, and
mumbled her soft white hand in an ecstasy which would not allow him to
confine his embraces to that limb, but urged him to seize her by the
waist, and snatch a delicious kiss from her love-pouting lips; nor
would he leave her a butt to the ridicule of Sophy, on whose mouth he
instantly committed a rape of the same nature: so that the two friends,
countenanced by each other, reprehended him with such gentleness of
rebuke, that he was almost tempted to repeat the offence.
The morning being now lighted up, and the servants of the inn on foot,
he ordered some chocolate for breakfast, and at the desire of the
ladies, sent Pipes to see the horses fed, and the chariot prepared,
while he went to the bar, and discharged the bill.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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