 which he imputed to his own
extravagance and temerity, but discovered no external signs of affliction,
because his illustrious partner bore his loss with the most philosophic
resignation, consoling himself, as well as Pickle, with the hope of making it
up, on some other occasion. Nevertheless, our young gentleman could not help
admiring and even envying his equanimity, not knowing that his lordship had
managed matters so as to be a gainer by the misfortune; which to retrieve,
Peregrine purchased several horses, at the recommendation of his friend; and
instead of returning to London, made a tour with him to all the celebrated races
in England, at which, after several vicissitudes of fortune, he made shift,
before the end of the season, to treble his loss.
    But his hopes seemed to increase with his ill luck; and in the beginning of
winter he came to town, fully persuaded that fortune must necessarily change,
and that next season he should reap the happy fruits of his experience. In this
confidence, he seemed to drown all ideas of prudence and oeconomy; his former
expence was mere parsimony, compared with that which he now incurred: he
subscribed to the opera, and half a dozen concerts at different parts of the
town; was a benefactor to several hospitals, purchased a collection of valuable
pictures, took an house, and furnished it in a most magnificent taste, laid in a
large stock of French wines, and gave extravagant entertainments to his
quality-friends, who in return loaded him with compliment, and insisted upon his
making use of their interest and good-will.
 

                                 Chapter XCVII

He is taken into the Protection of a Great Man; sets up for Member of
Parliament; is disappointed in his Expectation, and finds himself egregiously
outwitted
 
Among these professed patrons, the greatest part of whom Peregrine saw thro',
there was one great personage, who seemed to support with dignity the sphere in
which fortune had placed him. His behaviour to Pickle was not a series of
grinning complaisance, in a flat repetition of general expressions of friendship
and regard. He demeaned himself with a seemingly honest reserve, in point of
profession; his advances to Peregrine appeared to be the result of deliberation
and experiment; he chid the young gentleman for his extravagance with the
authority of a parent, and the sincerity of a fast friend; and having, by
gradual inquiries, made himself acquainted with the state of his private
affairs, condemned his conduct with an air of candour and concern. He
represented to him the folly and dangerous consequences of the profligate life
in which he had plunged himself, counselled him with
