mself a most egregious
Dupe.

This new misfortune, which he justly charged to the account of his own
folly, recalled his chagrin; and though he endeavoured with all his
might to conceal the affair from the knowledge of Cadwallader, that
prying observer perceived his countenance overcast. The projector's
sudden disappearance alarming his suspicion, he managed his inquiries
with so much art, that in a few days he made himself acquainted with
every particular of the transaction, and resolved to gratify his
spleen at the expense of the impatient dupe. With this view, he took an
opportunity to accost him with a very serious air, saying a friend of
his had immediate occasion for a thousand pounds, and as Peregrine had
the exact sum lying by him, he would take it as a great favour if he
would part with it for a few months on undoubted security. Had Pickle
known the true motive of this demand, he would in all likelihood have
made a very disagreeable answer; but Crabtree had wrappped himself up so
securely in the dissimulation of his features, that the youth could not
possibly penetrate into his intention; and in the most galling suspense
replied, that the money was otherwise engaged. The misanthrope, not
contented with this irritation, assumed the prerogative of a friend, and
questioned him so minutely about the disposal of the cash, that, after
numberless evasions, which cost him a world of torture to invent, he
could contain his vexation no longer, but exclaimed in a rage, "D-- your
impertinence! 'tis gone to the devil, and that's enough!"--"Thereafter,
as it may be," said this tormentor, with a most provoking indifference
of aspect, "I should be glad to know upon what footing; for I suppose
you have some expectation of advantage from that quarter."--"'Sdeath!
sir," cried the impatient youth, "if I had any expectation from hell, I
would make interest with you; for I believe, from my soul, you are one
of its most favoured ministers upon earth." With these words, he flung
out of the room, leaving Cadwallader very well satisfied with the
chastisement he had bestowed.

Peregrine having cooled himself with a solitary walk in the park,
during which the violence of his choler gradually evaporated, and his
reflection was called to a serious deliberation upon the posture of his
affairs, he resolved to redouble his diligence and importunity with his
patron and the minister, in order to obtain some sinecure, which would
indemnify hi