Part 17 (1/2)

CHAPTER XII

_The killing of the goose with the golden eggs_

The next ood care to be punctual I knew not very hy, but the ardour ofymen that made their fortune by matrimony, were none of the which was requisite to s at which people have so oftenruity, that disturb theI was conscious

I repaired however to an with telling me what an orthodox divine the dean ho dined with us the day before; and how sure he was of rising in the church I could make no answer Rise in the church he probably would; for facts are facts; and I had sufficient proof before me

My ready compliance with the first act of deceit, that he had required froiven him reason to suspect he should find me more scrupulous than many others, whom he had made subservient to his purposes What ulated his own? The caution therefore that he practised withhad an to talk of his niece, and again asked if I did not think her an agreeable handso lady? Of her person and manners I had no unfavourable opinion, and replied in the affirmative 'I assure you, Mr Trevor,' said he, 'she thinks very well of you!'--'Nay, my lord, she has seen me but once'--'Oh, no matter for that Who knows but you may co that I have to say to you be taken _right_

You are a likely youngs shall happen, and according as you shall understand things, and be prudent'

This was a vile preface: it contained er for an explanation that I had scarcely tiury He continued--

'You have been to Oxford, Mr Trevor, and you have studied I was at Oxford, and I studied, and read Greek, and the fathers, and the schoolmen, and other matters: but all that there won't do alone, Mr

Trevor A young man must be prudent I was prudent, or I should never have been this day what I a here, nor what it s shall happen to coht to look forward; and so I would have you look forward, Mr Trevor That is the only prudent way'

More and more impatient, I answered his lordshi+p, I would be as prudent as I could; and again requested he would explain himself

'Why yes, Mr Trevor; that is what Iman I don't know you, but you come recommended to me, by my very learned friends You have not the cares of the church to trouble you, and so you fill up your idle ti'--'My lord!'--'Nay, Mr

Trevor, you write very prettily I could write too, but I have not time I never had time I had aways a deal of business on , and to take care not to disoblige That is a e your superiors But I dare say you have more sense: and so, if that be the case, why you will make friends, as I did I will be one of them; and I will reco may be to the satisfaction of all parties'--

'Well, but how, my lord?'

'Why you have written a defence of the articles: now do you wish to ood ht! To be sure! And you can keep a secret?'--'I have proved that I can, lad to see your defence in print?'--'I should, ht! And, if it would serve a friend to put another name to the work--?'--'My lord!' 'Nay, if you have any objection, I shall say no more!' 'I do not comprehend your lordshi+p?'--'A work, Mr Trevor, would not sell the worse, or be less read, or less fae'--'Your lordshi+p's, for example?'--'Nay, I did not say that! But, if you are a prudent young man, and should have no objection?'--'I find I am not the man your lordshi+p has supposed!--'Nay!'--'I will be no participator in falsehood, private or public!'--'Falsehood, Sir! What interpretation are you putting uponto have been your friend! But I have done!'--'My lord, I h to declare, I neither understand the friendshi+p nor the e, Sir?

Morality! I am sorry I have been deceived!'--'I have been equally so, ood ot to redemand ht of the door, and turned back I knocked, asked for his lordshi+p, and was told he was not at hoate iovernable 'His lordshi+p,' exclairace to the bench on which he sits!' The footman thrust the door in race to ive vent to s in a letter, and half determined that it should be publicly addressed to the rank hypocrite, signed bytaunts that should sting him to madness, and the broad shame hich he was to be overwhelmed Active memory retraced each circumstance, that could blacken the object of my present contempt and abhorrence; and every trait increased the bitterness ofblood more hot Was this a pastor of the church? a follower of Christ? a Christian bishop? The question astonished and exasperated me almost to frenzy

In this temper I arrived in Bruton-street, where another very unexpected scene awaited me The earl I was told, had inquired for me, and desired to seeave relief to the ihtened into prospects the s to the bow, especially as this second was of so firs were confir, I observed the smiles that played on his lordshi+p's countenance! He was in a most pleasant humour 'I hinted to you, Mr Trevor,' said he, 'that I should probably have soave certainly to expectation! They uttered volumes of rapture in a breath! The fresh laurels of politics sprouted forth with tenfold vigour, and the withered fig-tree of theology was totally forgotten!

'There is likely to be a change in affairs then,in rapturous sympathy as I spoke--'There is'--'Mr

has been with your lordshi+p several times, I think?'--'Yes, yes; I am courted by all parties, at present'--'Indeed, my lord! Then Themistocles has become forlad that I have been instrumental'--'Certainly, Mr Trevor; certainly An architect cannot build palaces with his own hands But ill not talk of that: we un'--'And publish our fourth letter?'--'By no means, Mr

Trevor! that would ruin all!' For a moment I was speechless! At last I ejaculated--'My lord!'--'Things at present wear a very different face!

we must norite on the other side You seeht he say so! I was thunderstruck! 'But I will tell you a secret The minister and I are friends! I send four overnment had not expended five times the sum that it cost me, to carry their elections, I should have sent three more I have attacked the minister in the house by s: so, finding I wielded ed sith such resolution and activity, he has thought proper to beat a parley

He acknowledges that the fifty thousand pounds the election contest cost me were expended in support of our excellent constitution, and that I ought to be rewarded for my patriotism His offers are liberal, and peace is concluded We must now vere about, and this was the business for which I wanted you A good casuist you know, Mr Trevor, can defend both sides of a question; and I have no doubt but that you will appear with as yrist, as you have done, as a satirist'

How long I remained in that state of painful stupefaction into which I had been thrown, at the very coue, is more than I can say: but, as soon as I could recover some little presence of mind, I replied--'You, my lord, no doubt have your own reasons; which, to you, are a justification of your own conduct For ainst the man A desire to abash vice, advance the virtuous, and proood of mankind, wereman: you do not know the world'--The scene with the bishop was acting over again, and I felt nation With ineffable contee of the world consists in servility, selfishness, and the practice of deceit, I hope I never shall know it'--'You strangely forget yourself, Mr Trevor!'--'I am not of that opinion, my lord I rather think, it was thethe pen of prostitution that strangely forgot hi his bell, hu; and I rushed out of his apartment and hurried up to my ohere I found myself suddenly released from all ical and political honours that were to fall so immediately and profusely upon me