CHAPTER XCI.
Cadwallader acts the part of a Comforter to his Friend; and in his
turn is consoled by Peregrine, who begins to find himself a most
egregious Dupe.
This new misfortune, which he justly charged to the account of his
own folly, recalled his chagrin; and though he endeavoured with all
his might to conceal the affair from the knowledge of Cadwallader,
that prying observer perceived his countenance overcast. The
projector's sudden disappearance alarming his suspicion, he managed
his inquiries with so much art, that in a few days he made himself
acquainted with every particular of the transaction, and resolved
to gratify his spleen at the expense of the impatient dupe. With
this view, he took an opportunity to accost him with a very serious
air, saying a friend of his had immediate occasion for a thousand
pounds, and as Peregrine had the exact sum lying by him, he would
take it as a great favour if he would part with it for a few months
on undoubted security. Had Pickle known the true motive of this
demand, he would in all likelihood have made a very disagreeable
answer; but Crabtree had wrappped himself up so securely in the
dissimulation of his features, that the youth could not possibly
penetrate into his intention; and in the most galling suspense
replied, that the money was otherwise engaged.
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