 comfortable considerations to a youth of Peregrine's disposition,
which was so capricious, that the more his misery increased, the more haughty
and inflexible he became. Rather than be beholden to Hatchway, who still hovered
about the gate, eager for an opportunity to assist him, he chose to undergo the
want of almost every convenience of life, and actually pledged his
wearing-apparel to an Irish pawnbroker in the Fleet, for money to purchase those
things, without which he must have absolutely perished. He was gradually
irritated by his misfortunes into a rancorous resentment against mankind in
general, and his heart so alienated from the enjoyments of life, that he did not
care how soon he quitted his miserable existence. Though he had shocking
examples of the vicissitudes of fortune continually before his eyes, he could
never be reconciled to the idea of living like his fellow-sufferers, in the most
abject degree of dependance. If he refused to accept of favours from his own
allies and intimate friends, whom he had formerly obliged, it is not to be
supposed that he would listen to proposals of that kind from any of his
fellow-prisoners, with whom he had contracted acquaintance: he was even more
cautious than ever of incurring obligations: he now shunned his former
mess-mates, in order to avoid disagreeable tenders of friendship; and imagining
that he perceived an inclination in the clergyman, to learn the state of his
finances, he discouraged and declined the explanation, and at length secluded
himself from all society.
 

                                  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
war-office
