The Adventures of Peregrine PickleSmollett, T. (Tobias)
General
The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle
Smollett, T. (Tobias)
Adventure stories; Fiction; Picaresque literature
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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