 fourscore thousand seven hundred and sixty pounds, exclusive of the
house, plate and furniture, horses, equipage and cattle, with the garden and
park adjacent, to a very considerable extent.
    This was a sum that even exceeded his expectation, and could not fail to
entertain his fancy with the most agreeable ideas. He found himself immediately
a man of vast consequence among his country neighbours, who visited him with
compliments of congratulation, and treated him with such respect as would have
effectually spoiled any young man of his disposition, who had not the same
advantages of experience as he had already purchased at a very extravagant
price. Thus shielded with caution, he bore his prosperity with surprising
temperance; every body was charmed with his affability and moderation; and when
he made a circuit round the gentlemen of the district, in order to repay the
courtesy which he owed, he was caressed by them with uncommon assiduity, and
advised to offer himself as a candidate for the county, at the next election,
which, they supposed, would soon happen, because the present member was in a
declining state of health. Nor did his person and address escape unheeded by the
ladies, many of whom did not scruple to spread their attractions before him,
with a view of captivating such a valuable prize: nay, such an impression did
this legacy make upon a certain peer, who resided in this part of the country,
that he cultivated Pickle's acquaintance with great eagerness, and, without
circumlocution, offered to him in marriage his only daughter, with a very
considerable fortune.
    Our hero expressed himself, upon this occasion, as became a man of honour,
sensibility and politeness; and frankly gave his lordship to understand, that
his heart was already engaged. He was pleased with the opportunity of making
such a sacrifice to his passion for Emilia, which, by this time, inflamed his
thoughts to such a degree of impatience, that he resolved to depart for London,
with all possible speed; and for that purpose industriously employed almost
every hour of his time in regulating his domestic affairs. He paid off all his
father's servants, and hired others, at the recommendation of his sister, who
promised to superintend his houshold in his absence: he advanced the first
half-yearly payment of his mother's jointure; and as for his brother Gam, he
gave him divers opportunities of acknowledging his faults, so as that he might
have answered to his own conscience for taking any step in his favour; but that
young gentleman was not yet sufficiently humbled by misfortune, and not only
forbore to make
