leman acknowledged
that the revenge was hardly adequate to the provocation, and condemned
the conduct of his son with such justice and integrity, as disarmed
Peregrine of his resentment, and disposed him to give an undoubted
proof of his own disinterestedness, which he immediately exhibited, by
producing the note, and tearing it to pieces, after having assured his
lordship that the writ should be withdrawn, and the prisoner discharged
before night.

The earl, who perfectly well understood the value of money, and was no
stranger to the characters of mankind, stood amazed at the sacrifice,
which Pickle protested was offered by his esteem for his lordship; and,
after having complimented him upon his generosity, in a very uncommon
strain of encomium, begged the favour of his acquaintance, and insisted
upon his dining with him next day. The youth, proud of having met
with such an opportunity to distinguish himself, in less than an hour
performed every article of his promise; and in the morning was visited
by the debtor, who came, by the express order of his father, to thank
him for the obligation under which he was laid, and to ask pardon for
the offence he had given.

This condescension was very glorious for our hero, who graciously
received his submission, and accompanied him to dinner, where he was
caressed by the old earl with marks of particular affection and esteem.
Nor was his gratitude confined to exterior civility; he offered him the
use of his interest at court, which was very powerful, and repeated his
desire of serving him so pressingly, that Peregrine thought he could not
dispense with the opportunity of assisting his absent friend Godfrey, in
whose behalf he begged the influence of his lordship.

The earl, pleased with this request, which was another proof of the
young gentleman's benevolence, said, he would not fail to pay the utmost
regard to his recommendation; and in six weeks a captain's commission
was actually signed for the brother of Emilia, who was very agreeably
surprised at the intimation he received from the War Office, though
he was utterly ignorant of the canal through which he obtained that
promotion.

CHAPTER LXXXV.

Peregrine is celebrated as a Wit and Patron, and proceeds to entertain
himself at the Expense of whom it did concern.

In the meantime, Peregrine flourished in the gay scenes of life, and,
as I have already observed, had divers opportunities of profiting in the
way