seeing some of the churches
in town, put himself under the direction of the Capuchin, from whom he
learned that the lady was wife to a French gentleman, to whom she had
been married about a year, and that she was now on her journey to visit
her mother, who lived in Brussels, and was at that time laboured under a
lingering distemper, which, in all probability, would soon put a period
to her life. He then launched out in praise of her daughter's virtue
and conjugal affection; and, lastly, told him, that he was her
father-confessor, and pitched upon to be her conductor through Flanders,
by her husband, as well as his wife, placed the utmost confidence in his
prudence and integrity.

Pickle easily comprehended the meaning of this insinuation, and took
the hint accordingly. He tickled the priest's vanity with extraordinary
encomiums upon the disinterested principles of his order, which were
detached from all worldly pursuits, and altogether devoted to the
eternal salvation of mankind. He applauded their patience, humility, and
learning, and lavished a world of praise upon their talent in preaching,
which, he said, had more than once operated so powerfully upon him, that
had he not been restrained by certain considerations which he could
not possibly waive, he should have embraced their tenets, and begged
admission into their fraternity: but, as the circumstances of his fate
would not permit him to take such a salutary measure for the present,
he entreated the good father to accept a small token of his love and
respect, for the benefit of that convent to which he belonged. So
saying he pulled out a purse of ten guineas, which the Capuchin
observing, turned his head another way, and, lifting up his arm,
displayed a pocket almost as high as his collar-bone, in which he
deposited the money.

This proof of affection for the order produced a sudden and surprising
effect upon the friar. In the transport of his zeal he wrung this
semi-convert's hand, showered a thousand benedictions upon his head, and
exhorted him, with the tears flowing from his eyes, to perfect the great
work which the finger of God had begun in his heart; and, as an instance
of his concern for the welfare of his precious soul, the holy brother
promised to recommend him strenuously to the pious admonitions of the
young woman under his care, who was a perfect saint upon earth, and
endowed with a peculiar gift of mollifying the hearts of obdurate
sinners. "O fath