 able to unriddle the mystery of the whole, which
he did not doubt of unveiling, by means of his acquaintance with a family, in
which his lordship often spent the evening at whist.
    It was not long before he had the desired opportunity; the nobleman being
under no injunctions or obligation to keep the affair secret, discovered the
young gentleman's misfortune, by way of news, to the first company in which he
happened to be; and Peregrine's name was not so obscure in the fashionable
world, but that his disorder became the general topic of conversation for a day;
so that his friend soon partook of the intelligence, and found means to learn
the particulars of the minister's information, as above related. Nay, he was in
danger of becoming a proselyte to Sir Steady's opinion, when he recalled and
compared every circumstance which he knew of Pickle's impatience and
impetuosity.
    Indeed, nothing more easily gains credit than an imputation of madness fixed
upon any person whatsoever: for when the suspicion of the world is roused, and
its observation once set at work, the wisest, the coolest man upon earth, will,
by some particulars in his behaviour, convict himself of the charge: every
singularity in his dress and manner (and such are observable in every person)
that before passed unheeded, now rises up in judgment against him, with all the
exaggeration of the observer's fancy; and the sagacious examiner perceives
distraction in every glance of the eye, turn of the finger, and motion of the
head: when he speaks, there is a strange peculiarity in his argument and
expression; when he holds his tongue, his imagination teems with some
extravagant reverie; his sobriety of demeanour is no other than a lucid
interval, and his passion mere delirium.
    If people of the most sedate and insipid life and conversation are subject
to such criticisms, no wonder that they should take place upon a youth of
Peregrine's fiery disposition, which, on some occasions, would have actually
justified any remarks of this kind, which his greatest enemies could make. He
was accordingly represented as one of those enterprizing Bucks, who, after
having spent their fortunes in riot and excess, are happily bereft of their
understanding, and consequently insensible of the want and disgrace which they
have intailed upon themselves.
    Cadwallader himself was so much affected with the report, that for some time
he hesitated in his deliberations upon our hero, before he could prevail upon
himself to communicate to him the information he had received, or to treat him
in other respects as a man of
