At length, to my great relief, the cloth was taken
away; but even when we came to the wine after dinner,
the cold formality of my host continued unabated,
and I began to fear that he had taken an insurmountable
dislike to me, and that I should lose all the advantages
of his protection and assistance: advantages which
rose considerably in my estimation, when I apprehended
I was upon the point of losing them.
Soon after dinner, a young gentleman of the name of
Hudson joined the company; his manners and appearance
were prepossessing; he was frank and well-bred; and
the effect of his politeness was soon felt, as if by
magic, for every body became at their ease; his countenance
was full of life and fire; and though he said nothing
that showed remarkable abilities, everything he said
pleased. As soon as he found that I was a stranger,
he addressed his conversation principally to me.
I recovered my spirits, exerted myself to entertain
him, and succeeded. He was delighted to hear
news from England, and especially from London; a city
which he said he had an ardent desire to visit.
When he took leave of me in the evening, he expressed
very warmly the wish to cultivate my acquaintance,
and I was the more flattered and obliged by this civility,
because I was certain that he knew exactly my situation
and circumstances, Mrs. Croft having explained them
to him very fully even in my hearing.
CHAPTER V.
In the course of the ensuing week, young Mr. Hudson
and I saw one another almost every day, and our mutual
liking for each other’s company increased.
He introduced me to his father, who had been a planter;
and, having made a large fortune, came to reside at
Philadelphia, to enjoy himself, as he said, for the
remainder of his days. He lived in what the sober
Americans called a most luxurious and magnificent style.
The best company in Philadelphia met at his house:
and he delighted particularly in seeing those who
had convivial talents, and who would supply him with
wit and gaiety, in which he was naturally rather deficient.
On my first visit, I perceived that his son had boasted
of me as one of the best companions in the world;
and I determined to support the character that had
been given of me; I told two or three good stories,
and sang two or three good songs. The company
were charmed with me; old Mr. Hudson was particularly
delighted; he gave me a pressing general invitation
to his house, and most of the principal guests followed
his example. I was not a little elated with this
success. Mr. Croft was with me at this entertainment;
and I own I was peculiarly gratified by feeling that
I at once became conspicuous, by my talents, in a company
where he was apparently of no consequence, notwithstanding
all his wealth and prudence.
As we went home together, he said to me very gravely,
“I would not advise you, Mr. Basil Lowe, to
accept of all these invitations, nor to connect yourself
intimately with young Hudson. The society at Mr.
Hudson’s is very well for those who have made
a fortune, and want to spend it; but for those who
have a fortune to make, in my opinion, it is not only
useless but dangerous.”
Copyrights
Tales and Novels — Volume 02 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
