He durst not knock or signify his presence in any other
manner, on account of the lady's reputation, which would have
greatly suffered had the snorer been waked by his endeavours. Had
he known that the person who thus thwarted his views was the painter,
he would have taken some effectual step to remove him; but he could
not conceive what should induce Pallet to take up his residence in
that corner; nor could he use the assistance of a light, to distinguish
him, because there was not a candle burning in the house.
It is impossible to describe the rage and vexation of our hero,
while he continued thus tantalized upon the brink of bliss, after
his desire had been exasperated by the circumstances of his former
disappointments. He ejaculated a thousand execrations against his
own fortune, cursed all his fellow-travellers without exception,
vowed revenge against the painter, who had twice confounded his most
interesting scheme, and was tempted to execute immediate vengeance
upon the unknown cause of his present miscarriage. In this agony
of distraction did he sweat two whole hours in the passage, though
not without some faint hope of being delivered from his tormentor,
who, he imagined, upon waking, would undoubtedly shift his quarters,
and leave the field free to his designs; but when he heard the cock
repeat his salutation to the morn, which began to open on the rear
of night, he could no longer restrain his indignation.
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