o
nod in his chair. Peregrine, who had foreseen and provided for this
occasion, advised him to exhilarate his spirits with a glass of wine;
and the proposal being embraced, tipped his valet-de-chambre the wink,
who, according to the instructions he had received, qualified the
Burgundy with thirty drops of laudanum, which this unfortunate
husband swallowed in one glass. The dose, cooperating with his former
drowsiness, lulled him so fast to sleep, as it were instantaneously,
that it was found necessary to convey him to his own chamber, where his
footman undressed and put him to bed: nor was Jolter (naturally of a
sluggish disposition) able to resist his propensity to sleep, without
suffering divers dreadful yawns, which encouraged his pupil to
administer the same dose to him, which had operated so successfully upon
the other Argus. This cordial had not such gentle effect upon the rugged
organs of Jolter as upon the more delicate nerves of Hornbeck; but
discovered itself in certain involuntary startings, and convulsive
motions in the muscles of his face; and when his nature at length
yielded to the power of this medicine, he sounded the trumpet so loud
through his nostrils, that our adventurer was afraid the noise would
wake his other patient, and consequently the accomplishment of his aim.
The governor was therefore committed to the care of Pipes, who lugged
him into the next room, and having stripped off his clothes, tumbled him
into his nest, while the two lovers remained at full liberty to indulge
their mutual passion.

Peregrine, in the impatience of his inclination, would have finished
the fate of Hornbeck immediately; but his inamorata disapproved of his
intention, and represented that their being together by themselves for
any length of time would be observed by her servant, who was kept as a
spy upon her actions; so that they had recourse to another scheme which
was executed in this manner. He conducted her into her own apartment in
presence of her footman, who lighted them thither, and wishing her good
rest, returned to his own chamber, where he waited till everything was
quiet in the house; then stealing softly to her door, which had been
left open for his admission in the dark, he found the husband still
secure in the embraces of sleep, and the lady in a loose gown, ready to
seal his happiness. He conveyed her to his own chamber; but his guilty
passion was not gratified.

The opium which had been given to Jo