he deceased. Gam having taken
lodgings in the neighbourhood, came with a chaise and cart to demand
his mother, together with his own clothes, and her personal effects.
Our hero, though he would not suffer him to enter the door, allowed
his proposal to be communicated to the widow, who eagerly embraced the
opportunity of removing, and was, with her own baggage, and that of
her beloved son, conveyed to the place which he had prepared for her
reception. Thither she was followed by her woman, who was desired by
Peregrine to assure her mistress, that, until a regular provision could
be settled upon her, she might command him, in point of money, or any
other accommodation in his power.

CHAPTER CV.

He performs the last Offices to his Father, and returns to London, upon
a very interesting Design.

Suits of mourning being provided for himself, his friends and adherents,
and every other previous measure taken suitable to the occasion, his
father was interred, in a private manner, in the parish church; and
his papers being examined, in presence of many persons of honour and
integrity, invited for that purpose, no will was found, or any other
deed, in favour of the second son, though it appeared by the marriage
settlement, that the widow was entitled to a jointure of five hundred
pounds a year. The rest of his papers consisted of East India bonds,
South Sea annuities, mortgages, notes, and assignments, to the amount
of four score thousand seven hundred and sixty pounds, exclusive of
the house, plate and furniture, horses, equipage, and cattle, with the
garden and park adjacent, to a very considerable extent.

This was a sum that even exceeded his expectation, and could not fail
to entertain his fancy with the most agreeable ideas. He found himself
immediately a man of vast consequence among his country neighbours, who
visited him with compliments of congratulation, and treated him with
such respect as would have effectually spoiled any young man of his
disposition, who had not the same advantages of experience as he had
already purchased at a very extravagant price. Thus shielded with
caution, he bore his prosperity with surprising temperance; everybody
was charmed with his affability and moderation. When he made a circuit
round the gentlemen of the district, in order to repay the courtesy
which he owed, he was caressed by them with uncommon assiduity, and
advised to offer himself as a candidate for the county at th