Part 17 (2/2)

And here it is worthy of remark that I did not accuse uilty Yet when the earl had asked me to write letters, that were to be supposed by the public the production of his own pen, I had then no qualms of conscience; and when the bishop invitedmy best written sermon to him, I concurred in the request with no less facility When deceit was not to favour but to counteract my plans, its odious immorality then rushed upon me Men are so et to scrutinize thethat I had been a participator in guilt, I felt a consciousness of having acted with self-denying and heroic virtue This was s hich I was so unexpectedly assaulted

CHAPTER XIII

_Gloomy meditations, or pills for the passions: More of Enoch's morality: Turl improves, yet is still unaccountable and aleance: A love scene: More i-comic denoueer_

I shut the door upon race, and for a considerable ti passions Rage, amazement, contempt of myself, abhorrence of eance devoured th I was seized with a bitter sense of disappointment, and a fit of deep despondency My calculations had been so indubitable, , and my future elevation in prospect so immeasurable, that to see myself thus puffed down, as it were, from the very pinnacle not of hope but of certainty, was more than my philosophy had yet learned to support with any shew of equanimity I sunk on loo fancy conjured up the dazzling scenes, hich she had lately been so actively familiar

I was roused from my trance at last by the recollection that I was in the house of the earl, and starting up, as if to spurn conta the whole story in Suffolk street, and to procure myself an apartment

Enoch, Mamma, and Miss were all at hoean a full chorus of interrogatories 'Who did I meet?' said Mamma 'What did I think of the niece?' asked Miss 'What did his lordshi+p say?' inquired the holy , h to prove himself a scoundrel!' 'Heaven defend me!' exclaimed Enoch 'Why, Mr Trevor! are you in your senses?'--'A pitiful scoundrel! A pandar! A glutton! A lascivious hypocrite! With less honesty than a highwayman, for he would not only rob but publicly array hie, nay and impudently pretend to do the person whom he plundered a favour!'

Enoch stood petrified He could not have thought that frenzy itself would have dared to utter language so opprobrious against a bishop

It was treason against the cloth! The church tottered at the sounds!

But the fury I felt held him in awe--'Lords!' continued I 'Heaven preserve me from the society of a lord! I have done with thedoms should not tempt me to remain another hour under the roof of a lord!'

If the eyes of Enoch could have stretched themselves wider, they would The females requested me to explain myself 'A pandar?' said Mamma 'Ay,' added Miss; 'what did that mean, Mr Trevor?'

The question sobered me a little: I recollected my friend the usher, and the honour of Miss Wilreater solicitation: scandal stood with openfor a fresh supply I answered that for many reasons, and especially for a dear friend's sake, I should be silent on that head

'A dear friend's sake?' exclaimed the suspicious matron 'Who can that be? Who but Mr Ellis? Why Mr ----!'

I interrupted her in a positive tone, not without aher it was not Mr Ellis; and then repeated that I was co

At that moment the bishop's servant knocked at the door; I saw hih the ; and a note was received by the foot-boy and brought to Enoch The instant he had read the contents, he hurried away; telling lected, called hi as I was, unhackneyed in the ways of norant and inconsistent youth, till that hour I had ireatly endeared him to me, that he was sincerely my friend His duplicity on this occasion was in my opinion a heinous crime, and I rushed out of the house, with a deterain to enter the doors

I precipitately walked through several streets, without askingAt last I happened to think of Turl, and at that moment he appeared to be the s, found hi the same emotions of contempt for his employment, I was struck with the calm satisfaction visible in his countenance, and envied hi, by ad as little as he could to the false wants and vices of men; and at the same time to pursue a plan, on which he was intent'--A plan of importance no doubt; perhaps of public utility

It was sogled, and staht myself surrounded by friends: I now come to you; and should you refuse to hear me, I have not a friend in the world to whom I can relate the injustice that has been done me'---Pray speak, Mr Trevor

If I can do you any service, I most sincerely assure you it will add ine'

These words, though feere uttered with an uncolow of benevolence My heart was full, my passions, like the arrow in the bent boith force restrained, and I snatched his hand and pressed it with great fervour 'May you never want a friend, Mr

Turl,' said I; 'and may you never find a false one! Your opinions differ from mine, but I see and feel you are a man of virtue'

I paused a moment, and continued 'That you are a man of principle is fortunate, because, in what I have to relate, the name and character of a lady is concerned: the sister of a man whom, a very few years since, I loved and revered'--'Youher name'--'I have no doubt of your honour'--'I have no curiosity, and it will be the safest and wisest way'

I then gave him a succinct history of the whole transactions, between ry with the first as with the other two He heard me to the end, and asked such questions for elucidation as he thought necessary