He found
himself immediately a man of vast consequence among his country
neighbours, who visited him with compliments of congratulation,
and treated him with such respect as would have effectually spoiled
any young man of his disposition, who had not the same advantages
of experience as he had already purchased at a very extravagant
price. Thus shielded with caution, he bore his prosperity with
surprising temperance; everybody was charmed with his affability
and moderation. When he made a circuit round the gentlemen of the
district, in order to repay the courtesy which he owed, he was
caressed by them with uncommon assiduity, and advised to offer
himself as a candidate for the county at the next election, which,
they supposed, would soon happen, because the present member was in
a declining state of health. Nor did his person and address escape
unheeded by the ladies, many of whom did not scruple to spread their
attractions before him, with a view of captivating such a valuable
prize: nay, such an impression did this legacy make upon a certain
peer, who resided in this part of the country, that he cultivated
Pickle's acquaintance with great eagerness, and, without
circumlocution, offered to him in marriage his only daughter, with
a very considerable fortune.
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