morning, he took an opportunity of imparting | ions of gratitude and devotion to his serto the ear of this aged Dulcinea a kind vice; yet this complaisance was nothing but whisper, importing a promise of visiting her, a cloak used to disguise the design he when his sister should be retired to her own harboured of making his master acquainted chamber, and an earnest desire of leaving with the whole transaction. Indeed this her door unlocked. lacquey had been hired, not only as a spy upon his mistress, but also as a check on the conduct of the governante, with promise of ample reward, if ever he should discover any sinister or suspicious practices in the course of her behaviour. As for the footman whom they had brought from England, he was retained in attendance upon the person of his master, whose confidence he had lost, by advising him to gentle methods of reclaiming his lady, when her irregularities had subject. ed her to his wrath.

Hornbeck is informed of his wife's adventure with Peregrine, for whom he prePeregrine took his caution in good part, pares a stratagem, which is rendered in- and promised to behave with such circumeffectual by the information of Pipes-spection as would screen him from any the husband ducked for his intention, and troublesome consequences for the future; our hero apprehended by the patrole. but nevertheless, behaved that same evening in such a manner, as plainly showed that THERE was another person, however, still his prudence was nothing else than vain speungained; and that was no other than her culation. He had made an appointment to footman, whose secrecy our hero attempted spend the night, as usual, with Mrs Horn-' to secure in the morning by a handsome pre- beck; and, about nine o'clock, hastened to sent, which he received with many profess- her lodgings, when he was accosted in the

unaware. But when they had tarried a considerable time in that corner, without reaping the fruits of their expectation, their leader, persuaded that the gallant had gained admittance by some secret means, approached the door with his followers, who, according to the instructions they had received, no sooner saw it open than they rushed in, leaving their employer in the street, where he thought his person would be least endangered. Our adventurer, seeing him all alone, advanced with speed, and, clapping a pistol to his breast, commanded him to follow his footsteps, without noise, on pain of immediate death.

Terrified at this sudden apparition, Hornbeck obeyed in silence; and, in a few minutes, they arrived at the quay, where Pickle, halting, gave him to understand that he was no stranger to his villanous design-told him, that if he conceived himself injured by any circumstance of his conduct, he would now give him an opportunity of resenting the wrong, in a manner becoming a man of honour. "You have a sword about you," said he, "or, if you don't chuse to put the affair on that issue, here is a brace of pistols, take which you please." Such an address could not fail to disconcert a man of his character. After some hesitation, he, in a faultering accent, denied that his design was to mutilate Mr Pickle, but that he thought himself en

street by his old discarded friend Thomas Pipes, who, without any other preamble, told him, that, for all he had turned him adrift, he did not chuse to see him run full sail into his enemy's harbour, without giving him timely notice of the danger. "I'll tell you what," said he, "mayhap you think I want to curry favour, that I may be taken in tow again; if you do, you have made a mistake in your reckoning. I am old enough to be laid up, and have wherewithal to keep my planks from the weather. But this here is the affair; I have known you since you were no higher than a marlinspike, and should'nt care to see you deprived of your rigging at these years; whereby, I am informed by Hornbeck's man, whom I this afternoon fell in with by chance, as how his master has got intelligence of your boarding his wife, and has steered privately into this port, with a large complement of hands, in order, d'ye see, to secure you while you are under the hatches. Now, if so be as how you have a mind to give him a salt eel for his supper, here am I, without hope of fee or reward, ready to stand by you as long as my timbers will stick together; and if I expect any recompense, may I be bound to eat oakum and drink bilgewater for life." Startled at this information, Peregrine examined him upon the particulars of his discourse with the lacquey; and when he understood that Hornbeck's intelligence flowed from the canal of his Flemish footman, he be-titled to the benefit of the law, by which he lieved every circumstance of Tom's report, thanked him for this warning, and, after having reprimanded him for his misbehaviour at Lisle, assured him that it should be his own fault if ever they should part again. He then deliberated with himself whether or not he should retort the purpose upon his adversary; but when he considered that Hornbeck was not the aggressor, and made that unhappy husband's case his own, he could not help acquitting his intention of revenge, though, in his opinion, it ought to have been executed in a more honourable manner; and therefore he determined to chastise him for his want of spirit. Nothing, surely, can be more insolent and unjust than this determination, which induced him to punish a person for his want of courage to redress the injury which he himself had done to his reputation and peace; and yet this barbarity of decision is authorised by the opinion and practice of mankind.

would have obtained a divorce, if he could have procured evidence of his wife's infidelity; and, with that view, he had employed people to take advantage of the information he had received. With regard to this alternative, he declined it entirely, because he could not see what satisfaction he should enjoy, in being shot through the head, or run through the lungs, by a person who had already wronged him in an irreparable manner. Lastly, his fear made him propose, that the affair should be left to the arbitration of two creditable men, altogether unconcerned in the dispute.

To these remonstrances, Peregrine replied in the style of a hot-headed young man, conscious of his own unjustifiable behaviour, that every gentleman ought to be a judge of his own honour, and therefore he would submit to the decision of no umpire whatsoever; that he would forgive his want of courage, which might be a natural infirmity, but his With these sentiments, he returned to the mean dissimulation he could not pardon : inn, and, putting a pair of pistols in his pock- that, as he was certified of the rascally intent et, ordered his valet de chambre and Pipes of his ambuscade, by undoubted intelligence, to follow him at a small distance, so as that he would treat him, not with a retaliation of they should be within call in case of necessi- his own treachery, but such indignity as a ty, and then posted himself within thirty scoundrel deserves to suffer, unless he would yards of his Dulcinea's door. There he had make one effort to maintain the character he not been above half an hour, when he per- assumed in life. So saying, he again preceived four men take their station on the sented his pistols, which being rejected as other side, with a view, as he guessed, to before, he called his two ministers, and or watch for his going in, that he might be taken | dered them to duck him in the canal.

This command was pronounced and executed almost in the same breath, to the unspeakable terror and disorder of the poor shivering patient, who, having undergone the immersion, ran about like a drowned rat, squeaking for assistance and revenge. His cries were overheard by the patrole, who, chancing to pass that way, took him under their protection, and, in consequence of his complaint and information, went in pursuit of our adventurer and his attendants, who were soon overtaken and surrounded. Rash and inconsiderate as the young gentleman was, he did not pretend to stand on the defensive against a file of musketeers, although Pipes had drawn his cutlass at their approach, but surrendered himself without opposition, and was conveyed to the main guard, where the commanding officer, engaged by his appearance and address, treated him with all imaginable respect. Hearing the particulars of his adventure, he assured him that the prince would consider the whole as a tour de jeunesse, and order him to be released without delay.

OUR hero, understanding, from some expressions which escaped the prince, that he was considered in the light of a sharper and assassin, begged that he might have the liberty of sending for some vouchers, that would probably vindicate his character from the malicious aspersions of his adversary. This permission being granted, he wrote a letter to his governor, desiring that he would bring to him the letters of recommendation which he had received from the British ambassador at Paris, and such other papers as he thought conducive to evince the importance of his situation.

The billet was given in charge to one of the subaltern officers on duty, who carried it to the inn, and demanded to speak with Mr Jolter. Pallet, who happened to be at the door when this messenger arrived, and heard him inquire for the tutor, ran directly to that gentleman's apartment, and, in manifest disorder, told him that a huge fellow of a soldier, with a monstrous pair of whiskers, and a fur cap as big as a bushel, was asking for him at the door. The poor governor began to shake Next morning, when this gentleman gave at this intimation, though he was not conin his report, he made such a favourable re-scious of having committed any thing that presentation of the prisoner, that our hero was on the point of being discharged, when Hornbeck preferred a complaint, accusing him of a purposed assassination, and praying that such punishment should be inflicted upon him as his highness should think adequate to the nature of the crime. The prince, perplexed with this petition, in consequence of which he foresaw that he must disoblige a British subject, sent for the plaintiff, of whom he had some knowledge, and in person exhorted him to drop the prosecution, which would only serve to propagate his own shame. But Hornbeck was too much incensed to listen to any proposal of that kind, and peremptorily demanded justice against the prisoner, whom he represented as an obscure adventurer, who had made repeated attempts upon his honour and his life. Prince Charles told him, that what he had advised was in the capacity of a friend; but, since he insisted upon his acting as a magistrate, the affair should be examined, and determined accord-prince, observing his dismay, was pleased to ing to the dictates of justice and truth.

The petitioner being dismissed with this promise, the defendant was, in his turn, brought before the judge, whose prepossession in his favour was in a great measure weakened by what his antagonist had said to the prejudice of his birth and reputation.

CHAPTER LXI.

Peregrine is released—Jolter confounded at his mysterious conducta contest happens between the poet and painter, who are reconciled by the mediation of their fellow-travellers.

could attract the attention of the state. When the officer appeared at his chamberdoor, his confusion increased to such a degree, that his perception seemed to vanish, and the subaltern repeated the purport of his errant three times, before he could comprehend his meaning, or venture to receive the letter which he presented. At length he summoned all his fortitude, and having perused the epistle, his terror sunk into anxiety. His ingenious fear immediately suggested that Peregrine was confined in a dungeon, for some outrage he had committed. He ran with great agitation to a trunk, and, taking out a bundle of papers, followed his conductor, being attended by the painter, to whom he had hinted his apprehension. When they passed through the guard, which was under arms, the hearts of both died within them; and when they came into the presence, there was such an expression of awful horror on the countenance of Jolter, that the

encourage him with an assurance that he had nothing to fear. Thus comforted, he recollected himself so well as to understand his pupil, when he desired him to produce the ambassador's letters; some of which being open, were immediately read by his highness, who was personally acquainted with the writer, and knew several of the noblemen to whom they were addressed. These recommendations were so warm, and represented the young gentleman in such an advantageous light, that the prince, convinced of the injustice his character had suffered by the misrepresentation of Hornbeck, took our hero by the hand, asked pardon for the doubts he had entertained of his honour, declared

him from that moment at liberty, ordered his domestics to be enlarged, and offered him his countenance and protection as long as he should remain in the Austrian Netherlands. At the same time he cautioned him against indiscretion in the course of his gallantries; and took his word and honour, that he should drop all measures of resentment against the person of Hornbeck during his residence in that place.

The delinquent, thus honourably acquitted, thanked the prince, in the most respectful manner, for his generosity and candour, and retired with his two friends, who were amazed and bewildered in their thoughts at what they had seen and heard, the whole adventure still remaining without the sphere of their comprehension, which was not at all enlarged by the unaccountable appearance of Pipes, who, with the valet de chambre, joined them at the castle gate. Had Jolter been a man of luxuriant imagination, his brain would undoubtedly have suffered in the investigation of his pupil's mysterious conduct, which he strove in vain to unravel; but his intellects were too solid to be affected by the miscarriage of his invention; and as Peregrine did not think proper to make him acquainted with the cause of his being apprehended, he contented himself with supposing that there was a lady in the case.

agreeably disturbed, started up in a passion, and opening the door, no sooner perceived who had interrupted him, than he flung it in his face with great fury, and cursed him for his impertinent intrusion, which had deprived him of the most delightful vision that ever regaled the human fancy. He imagined (as he afterwards imparted to Peregrine), that, as he enjoyed himself in walking through the flowery plain that borders on Parnassus, he was met by a venerable sage, whom, by a certain divine vivacity that lightened from his eyes, he instantly knew to be the immortal Pindar. He was immediately struck with reverence and awe, and prostrated himself before the apparition, which, taking him by the hand, lifted him gently from the ground, and, with words more sweet than the honey of the Hybla bees, told him, that of all the moderns, he alone was visited by that celestial impulse by which he himself had been inspired, when he produced his most applauded odes. So saying, he led him up the sacred hill, persuaded him to drink a copious draught of the waters of the Hippocrene, and then presented him to the harmonious nine, who crowned his temples with a laurel wreath.

No wonder that he was enraged to find himself cut off from such sublime society. He raved in Greek against the invader, who was so big with his own purpose, that, unThe painter, whose imagination was of a mindful of the disgrace he had sustained, and more flimsy texture, formed a thousand chi- disregarding all the symptoms of the physimercial conjectures, which he communicated cian's displeasure, he applied his mouth to to Pickle, in imperfect insinuations, hoping, the door, in an eager tone. "I'll hold you by his answers and behaviour, to discover any wager," said he, "that I guess the true the truth; but the youth, in order to tantalize cause of Mr Pickle's imprisonment." To him, eluded all his inquiries, with such ap- this challenge he received no reply, and therepearance of industry and art, as heightened fore repeated it, adding, "I suppose you imahis curiosity, while it disappointed his aim, gine he was taken up for fighting a duel, or and inflamed him to such a degree of impa- affronting a nobleman, or lying with some tience, that his wits began to be unsettled. man's wife, or some such matter; but, egad! Then Peregrine was fain to recompose his you was never more mistaken in your life; brain, by telling him, in confidence, that he and I'll lay my Cleopatra against your Hohad been arrested as a spy. This secret he mer's head, that in four-and-twenty hours found more intolerable than his former un-you shan't light on the true reason.' certainty; he ran from one apartment to another, like a goose in the agonies of egg-laying, with intention of disburdening this important load; but Jolter being engaged with his pupil, and all the people of the house ig-cock to Esculapius, were I assured that any norant of the only language he could speak, person had been taken up for extirpating such he was compelled, with infinite reluctance, to a troublesome Goth as you are from the face address himself to the doctor, who was at of the earth. As for your boasted Cleopatra, that time shut up in his own chamber. Hav- which you say was drawn from your own ing knocked at the door to no purpose, he wife, I believe the copy has as much of the peeped through the keyhole, and saw the to kalon as the original; but, were it mine, physician sitting at a table with a pen in one it should be hung up in the temple of Cloahand, and a paper before him, his head re- cina, as the picture of that goddess; for any clined upon his other hand, and his eyes fix- other apartment would be disgraced by its ed upon the ceiling, as if he had been en- appearance." "Hark ye, Sir," replied Paltranced. Pallet concluding that he was un-let, enraged in his turn at the contemptuous der the power of some convulsion, endeavoured to force the door open; and the noise of his efforts recalled the doctor from his reverie. This poetical republican, being so dis

The favourite of the Muses, exasperated at this vexatious perseverance of the painter, who, he imagined, had come to teaze and insult him, "I would," said he, "sacrifice

mention of his darling performance, "you may make as free with my wife as you think proper, but 'ware my works; those are the children of my fancy, conceived by the glow