will for once be shunned by
that little vixen called Miss Fortune! he, he, he!"

So saying, he bowed with a thousand apish congees, and presented his
paper to Peregrine, who, seeing the number of subscribers was limited to
one hundred, said he thought him too moderate in his expectations, as
he did not doubt that his picture would be a cheap purchase at five
hundred, instead of fifty pounds, at which the price was fixed. To this
unexpected remark Pallet answered, that among the connoisseurs he would
not pretend to appraise his picture; but that, in valuing his works, he
was obliged to have an eye to the Gothic ignorance of the age in which
he lived. Our adventurer saw at once into the nature of this raffle,
which was no other than a begging shift to dispose of a paltry piece,
that he could not otherwise have sold for twenty shillings. However, far
from shocking the poor man in distress, by dropping the least hint
of his conjecture, he desired to be favoured with six chances, if the
circumstances of his plan would indulge him so far; and the painter,
after some hesitation, condescended to comply with his request, out of
pure friendship and veneration; though he observed, that, in so doing,
he must exclude some of his most intimate companions. Having received
the money he gave Pickle his address, desiring he would, with his
convenience, visit the princess, who, he was sure, would display her
most engaging attractions, in order to captivate his fancy; and took his
leave extremely well pleased with the success of his application.

Though Peregrine was tempted with the curiosity of seeing this portrait,
which he imagined must contain some analogy to the ridiculous oddity of
the painter, he would not expose himself to the disagreeable alternative
of applauding the performance, contrary to the dictates of conscience
and common sense, or of condemning it, to the unspeakable mortification
of the miserable author; and therefore never dreamt of returning the
painter's visit. Nor did he ever hear of the lottery's being drawn.
About this time he was invited to spend a few weeks at the country seat
of a certain nobleman, with whom he had contracted an acquaintance,
in the course of his debauches, which we have already described. His
lordship being remarkable for his skill and success in horse-racing, his
house was continually filled with the connoisseurs and admirers of that
sport, upon which the whole conversation turned, insomuch t