 had been informed, during his residence in Turkey, that he was
the bastard of a Spanish grandee, and gave them a minute detail of the
pilgrimage he had undergone. This information agreeing with the intelligence
which the priest had already received, and being corroborated by the marks upon
his body, and the very scars of the wounds which had been inflicted upon him in
his infancy, the confessor, without further hesitation, saluted him by the name
of count d'Alvarez, grandee of Spain, and explained the whole mystery of his
fortune.
    If he was agreeably amazed at this explanation, the case was otherwise with
his wife, who thought herself in great danger of being abandoned by an husband
of such high rank; but he immediately dispelled her apprehension, by assuring
her, that as she had shared in his adversity, she should also partake of his
good fortune. He set out immediately for Vienna, to make his acknowledgements to
the emperor, who favoured him with a very gracious reception, promised to use
his influence, so that he might enjoy the honours and estate of his family; and,
in the mean time, acknowledged himself his debtor for four hundred thousand
florins, which he had borrowed from his uncle. He threw himself at the feet of
his august protector, expressed the most grateful sense of his goodness, and
begg'd he might be permitted to settle in some of his imperial majesty's
dominions.
    This request was immediately granted; he was allowed to purchase land in any
part of the hereditary dominions of the house of Austria, to the amount of the
sum I have mentioned; and made choice of the country of Ratibor in Silesia,
where, in all probability, he still resides.«
    Peregrine had scarce finished this narrative, when he perceived Mr. M--r
slip something into the hand of the young man with whom he had been conversing
at the other end of the room, and rise up from the table, in order to take his
leave. He at once understood the meaning of this conveyance, and longed for an
opportunity to be acquainted with such a rare instance of primitive benevolence;
but the consciousness of his present situation hindered him from making any
advance, that might be construed into forwardness or presumption.
 

                                  Chapter CVII

He is surprised with the Appearance of Hatchway and Pipes, who take up their
Habitation in his Neighbourhood, contrary to his Inclination and express Desire
 
Being now regularly initiated in the mysteries of the Fleet, and reconciled in
some measure to the customs of the place, he began to bear the edge of
reflection without wincing; and thinking
