Mr. Pickle would chalk out any feasible method
by which he could manifest his sentiments of friendship, he should not
be backward in executing the plan.

Peregrine, laying hold on this declaration, mentioned several places
which he knew to be vacant. But the old evasion was still used; one of
them was not in his department of business, another had been promised to
the third son of a certain earl before the death of the last possessor,
and a third was encumbered with a pension that ate up a good half of
the appointments. In short, such obstructions were started to all his
proposals as he could not possibly surmount, though he plainly perceived
they were no other than specious pretexts to cover the mortifying side
of a refusal. Exasperated, therefore, at this lack of sincerity and
gratitude, "I can easily foresee," said he, "that such difficulties will
never be wanting, when I have anything to ask; and for that reason
will save myself the trouble of any further application." So saying, he
withdrew in a very abrupt manner, breathing defiance and revenge. But
his patron, who did not think proper to drive him to extremities, found
means to persuade his honour to do something for the pacification of
the young man's choler; and that same evening our adventurer received a
message from his lordship, desiring to see him immediately.

In consequence of this intimation, Pickle went to his house, and
appeared before him with a very cloudy aspect, which signified to whom
it might concern, that his temper was at present too much galled to
endure reproof; and therefore the sagacious peer forbore taking him to
task for his behaviour during the audience he had obtained; but gave him
to understand, that the minister, in consideration of his services, had
sent him a bank-note of three hundred pounds, with a promise of the like
sum yearly, until he could be otherwise provided for. This declaration
in some measure appeased the youth, who condescended to accept the
present; and, next levee day, made his acknowledgment to the donor,
who favoured him with a smile of infinite complacency, which entirely
dissipated all the remains of his resentment; for, as he could not
possibly divine the true cause of his being temporized with, he looked
upon this condescension as an undoubted proof of Sir Steady's sincerity,
and firmly believed that he would settle him in some place with the
first opportunity, rather than continue to pay this pension out of hi