 part, what he had done was by the express
order of his superiors, and not out of any desire of distressing him; and that,
far from being his enemy, notwithstanding the shocking insult he had sustained,
he was ready to withdraw the writ, provided he would listen to any reasonable
terms of accommodation.
    Peregrine, who was not more prone to anger than open to conviction, being
appeased by his condescension, moved by his arguments, and chid by his own
reflection for what he had done in the precipitation of his wrath, began to give
ear to his remonstrances; and the bailiffs being ordered to withdraw, they
entered into a conference, the result of which was our adventurer's immediate
departure for London: so that next day his competitor was unanimously chosen,
because no body appeared to oppose his election.
    The discontented Pickle, on his arrival in town, went directly to the house
of his patron, to whom, in the anguish of his disappointment, he bitterly
complained of the treatment he had received, by which, besides the disgrace of
his overthrow, he was no less than two thousand pounds out of pocket, exclusive
of the debt for which he stood engaged to the receiver. His lordship, who was
prepared for this expostulation, on his knowledge of the young man's impetuous
temper, answered all the articles of his charge with great deliberation, giving
him to understand the motives that induced the minister to quit his interest in
that borough; and soothing him with assurances that his loss would be amply
rewarded by his honour, to whom he was next day introduced by this nobleman, in
the warmest stile of recommendation. The minister, who was a pattern of
complaisance, received him with the most engaging affability; thanked him very
kindly for his endeavours to support and strengthen the interest of the
administration; and faithfully promised to lay hold on the first opportunity to
express the sense he had of his zeal and attachment; desiring to see him often
at his levee, that in the multiplicity of business he might not be in danger of
forgetting his services and desert.
 

                                 Chapter XCVIII

Peregrine commences Minister's Dependent; meets by Accident with Mrs. Gauntlet;
and descends gradually, in the Condition of Life
 
This reception, favourable as it was, did not please Peregrine, who had too much
discernment to be cajoled with general promises, at a time when he thought
himself intitled to the most particular assurance. He accordingly signified his
disgust to his introductor, giving him to understand, that he had laid his
account with being chosen representative of one of those boroughs for which he
