Pickle. "But, since you have put yourself under the
protection of another peer," said he, "whose connections interfere
with mine, I cannot now espouse your cause, without incurring the
imputation of seducing that nobleman's adherents; a charge which,
of all others, I would most carefully avoid. However, I shall always
be ready to assist you with my private advice, as a specimen of
which, I now counsel you to insist upon having another interview
with Sir Steady Steerwell himself, that you may in person explain
your pretensions, without any risk of being misrepresented; and
endeavour, if possible, to draw him into some particular promise,
from which he cannot retract, with any regard to his reputation;
for general profession is a necessary armour worn by all ministers
in their own defence, against the importunity of those whom they
will not befriend, and would not disoblige."
This advice was so conformable to his own sentiments, that our
adventurer seized the first opportunity to demand a hearing, and
plainly told his patron, that, if he could not be indulged with
that favour, he should look upon his lordship's influence to be
very small, and his own hopes to be altogether desperate; in which
case he was resolved to dispose of the mortgage, purchase an annuity,
and live independent.
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