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.
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