Temple Bar, they saw young Huxter returning to his bride.
"The governor had arrived; was at the Somerset Coffee
House — was in tolerable good humour — something about
the railway: but he had been afraid to speak about — about
that business. Would Mr. Pendennis try it on?"

Pen said he would go and call at that moment upon Mr.
Huxter, and see what might be done. Huxter junior would
lurk outside whilst that awful interview took place. The
coronet on the carriage inspired his soul also with wonder ;
and oldMr. Huxter himself beheld it with delight, as he looked
from the Coffee House window on that Strand , which it was
always a treat to him to survey.

"And I can afford to give myself a lark. Sir," said Mr.
Huxter, shaking hands with Pen. "Of course you know the
news? We have got our bill, Sir. We shall have our branch
line — our shares are up , Sir — and we buy your three fields
along the Brawl, and put a pretty penny into your pocket,
Mr. Pendennis."

"Indeed! — that was good news." Pen remembered that
there was a letter from Mr. Tatham, at Chambers, these three
days; but he had not opened the communication, being in-
terested with other affairs.

" I hope you don't intend to grow rich, and give up prac-
tice," said Pen. " We can't lose you at Claverlng, Mr. Huxter ;
though I hear very good accounts of your son. My friend,



/ill



Dr. Goodenough, speaks most highly of his talents. It is hard
that a man of your eminence, though, should be kept in a
country town,"

"The metropolis would have been my sphere of action,
Sir," saidiMr. Huxter, surveying the Strand. "But a man
takes his business where he finds it ; and I succeeded to that of
my father."

"It was my father's, too," said Pen. " I sometimes wish
I had followed it."

"You, Sir, have taken a more lofty career," said the old
gentleman. "You aspire to the senate: and to literary ho-
nours. You wield the poet's pen. Sir, and move in the circles
of fashion. We keep an eye upon you at Clavering. We read
your name in the lists of the select parties of the nobility.
Why, it was only the other day that my wife was remarking
how odd it was that at a party at the Earl of Kidderminster's
your name was not mentioned. To what member of the aristo-
cracy may I ask does that equipage belong from which I saw
you descend? The Countess Dowager of Rockminster? How
is her ladyship?"

" Her ladyship is not very well ; and when I heard that you
were coming to town, I strongly urged her to see you, Mr.^
Huxter," Pen said. Old Huxter felt, if he had a hundred
votes for Clavering, he would give them all to Pen.

" There is an old friend of your's in the carriage — a
Clavering lady, too — will you come out and speak to her?"
asked Pen. The old surgeon was delighted to speak to a
coronetted carriage in the midst of the full Strand; he ran
out bowing and smiling. Huxter junior, dodging about the
district, beheld the meeting between his father and Laura,
saw the latter put out her hand, and presently, after a little
colloquy with Pen, beheld his father actually jump into the
carriage , and drive away with Miss Bell.



412



There was no room for Arthur, who came back, laughing,
to the young surgeon, and told him whither his parent was
bound. During the whole of the journey, that artful Laura
coaxed, and wheedled, and cajoled him so adroitly, that the
old gentleman would have granted her anything; and Lady
Rockminster achieved the victory over him by complimenting
him on his skill, and professing her anxiety to consult him.
What were her ladyship's symptoms? Should he meet her
ladyship's usual medical attendant? Mr. Jones was called out
of town? He should be delighted to devote his very best
energies and experience to her ladyship's service."

He was so charmed with his patient, that he wrote home
about her to his wife and family; he talked of nothing but
Lady Rockminster to Samuel, when that youth came to partake
of beefsteak and oyster-sauce and accompany his parent to the
play. There was a simple grandeur, a polite urbanity, a high-
bred grace about her ladyship, which he had never witnessed
In any woman. Her symptoms did not seem alarming; he had
prescribed — Spir. Ammon. Aromat. with a little Sp. Menth.
Pip, and orange-flower, which would be all that was ne-
cessary.

Miss Bell seemed to be on the most confidential and affec-
tionate footing with her ladyship. She was about to form a
matrimonial connexion. All young people ought to marry.
Such were her ladyship's words; and the Countess con-
descended to ask respecting my own family, and I mentioned
you by name to her ladyship, Sam, my boy. I shall look in
to-morrow, when. If the remedies which I have prescribed
for her ladyship have had the effect which I anticipate , I shall
probably follow them up by a little Spir: Lavend: Corap: —
and so set my noble patient up. What is the theatre which Is
most frequented by the — by the higher classes in town, hey,



413



Sam? and to what amusement -will you take an old country-
doctor to-night, hey, Sir?"

On the next day, when Mr. Huxter called in Jermyn Street
at twelve o'clock, Lady Rockminster had not yet left her
room, but Miss Bell and Mr. Pendennis were in waiting to
receive him. Lady Rockminster had had a most comfortable
night, and was getting on as well as possible. How had Mr.
Huxter amused himself? at the theatre? with his son? What a
capital piece it was , and how charmingly Mrs. O'Leary looked
and sang it ! and what a good fellow young Huxter was ! liked
by everybody, an honour to his profession. He has not his
father's manners, I grant you, or that old world tone which
is passing away from us, but a more excellent, sterling fellow
never lived. "He ought to practise in the country whatever
you do, Sir," said Arthur — "he ought to marry — other
people are going to do so — and settle."

"The very words that her ladyship used yesterday, Mr.
Pendennis. He ought to marry. Sam should marry. Sir."

"The town is full of temptations. Sir," continued Pen.
The old gentleman thought of that houri, Mrs. O'Leary.

" There is no better safeguard for a young man than an
early marriage with an honest affectionate creature."

"No better, Sir, no better."

"And love is better than money, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is," said Miss Bell.

"I agree with so fair an authority," said the old gentle-
man, with a bow.

"And — and suppose. Sir," Pensaid, " that I had a piece
of news to communicate to you."

"God bless my soul, Mr. Pendennis! what do you mean? "
asked the old gentleman.

" Suppose I had to tell you that a young man , carried away
by an irresistible passion for an admirable and most virtuous



414



young creature — whom everybody falls In love with — had
consulted the dictates of reason and his heart, and had mar-
ried. Suppose I were to tell you that that man is my friend;
that our excellent, our truly noble friend the Countess
Dowager of Rockminster is truly interested about him (andyou
may fancy what a young man can do in life when that family
is interested for him); suppose I were to tell you that you
know him — that he is here — that he is — "

" Sam , married ! God bless my soul , Sir, you don't mean
that!"

"And to such a nice creature, dear Mr. Huxter."

"His lordship is charmed with her , " said Pen, telling al-
most the first fib which he has told in the course of this
story.

"Married! the rascal, is he?" thought the old gen-
tleman.

" They will do it, Sir," said Pen ; and went and opened the
door.

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Huxter issued thence, and both came
and knelt down before the old gentleman. The kneeling little
Fanny found favour in his sight. There must have been some-
thing attractive about her, in spite of Laura's opinion.

"Will never do so any more, Sir," said Sam.

"Get up, Sir," said Mr. Huxter. And they got up , and
Fanny came a little nearer and a little nearer still, and looked
so pretty and pitiful, that somehow Mr. Huxter found him-
self kissing the little crying-laughing thing, and feeling as if
he liked it.

" What 's your name , my dear? " he said, after a minute of
this sport.

"Fanny, Papa, " said Mrs. Samuel.



415



CHAPTER XXXI.

Exeunt omnes.

Our characters are all a month older than they were when
the last-described adventures and conversations occurred,
and a great number of the personages of our story have
chanced to re-assemble at the little country town where we
were first introduced to them. Frederic Lightfoot, formerly
maitre d' hotel in the service of Sir Francis Clavering, of Cla-
vering Park, Bart,, has begged leave to inform the nobility
and gentry of — shire that he has taken that well-known and
comfortable hotel, the Clavering Arms, in Clavering, where he
hopes for the continued patronage of the gentlemen and fa-
milies of the county. "This ancient and well established
house." Mr. Lightfoot's manifesto states, " has been re-
paired and decorated in a style of the greatest comfort. Gen-
tlemen hunting with the Dumplingbeare hounds will find ex-
cellent stabling and loose boxes for horses at the Clavering
Arms. A commodious billiard-room has been attached to the
hotel, and the cellars have been furnished with the choicest
wines and spirits, selected, without regard to expense, by C. L.
Commercial gentlemen will find the Clavering Arms a most
comfortable place of resort: and the scale of charges has been
regulated for all, so as to meet the economical spirit of the
present times."

Indeed, there is a considerable air of liveliness about the
old inn. The Clavering arms have been splendidly repainted
over the gate-way. The cofi*ee-room windows are bright and
fresh, and decorated with Christmas holly; the magistrates
have met in petty sessions in the card-room of the old Assem-
bly. The farmers' ordinary is held as of old, and frequented
by increased numbers, who are pleased with Mrs. Lightfoot's
cuisine. Her Indian curries and Mulligatawny soup are espe-



416



cially popular: Major Stokes, the respected tenant of Fair-
oaks Cottage, Captain Glanders, H. P., and other resident
gentry, have pronounced in their favour, and have partaken
of them more than once both in private and at the dinner of.
the Clavering Institute, attendant on the incorporation of the
reading-room, and when the chief Inhabitants of that flourish-
ing little town met together and did justice to the hostess's
excellent cheer. The chair was taken by Sir Francis Claver-
ing, Bart., supported by the esteemed rector, Dr. Portman;
the vice-chair being ably filled by — Barker, Esq. , (support-
ed by the Rev. J. Simcoe and the Rev. S. Jowls ,) the enter-
prising head of the ribbon factory in Clavering, and chief di-
rector of the Clavering and Chatterles Branch of the Great
Western Railway, which will be opened in another year, and
upon the works of which the engineers and workmen are now
busily engaged.

An interesting event, which Is likely to take place in the
life of our talented townsman, Arthur Pendennis , Esq., has,
we understand , caused him to relinquish the intentions which
he had of offering himself as a candidate for our borough: and
rumour whispers (says the Chatteries Champion, Clavering
Agriculturist, and Baymouth Fisherman, — that independent
county paper, so distinguished for Its unswerving principles
and loyalty to the British oak, and so eligible a medium for
advertisements) — rumour states, says the C. C, C. A. and
B. F., that should Sir Francis Claverlng's failing health oblige
him to relinquish his seat in Parliament, he will vacate It in
favour of a young gentleman of colossal fortune and related to
the highest aristocracy of the empire, who is about to contract
a matrimonial alliance with an accomplished and lovely lady,
connected by the nearest ties with the respected family at Cla-
vering Park. Lady Clavering and Miss Amory have arrived
at the Park for the Christmas holidays ; and we understand



417



that a large number of the aristocracy are expected, and that
festivities of a peculiarly interesting nature will take place
there at the commencement of the new year.'

The ingenious reader will be enabled, by the help of the
above announcement, to understand what has taken place du-
ring the little break which has occurred in our narrative. Al-
though Lady Rockminster grumbled a little at Laura's pre-
ference forPendennis over Bluebeard, those who are aware
of the latter's secret will understand that the young girl could
make no other choice , and the kind old lady who had consti-
tuted herself Miss Bell's guardian was not ill-pleased that she
was to fulfil the great purpose in life of young ladies and
marry. She informed her maid of the interesting event that
very night, and of course Mrs. Beck, who was perfectly aware
of every single circumstance, and kept by Martha, of Fair-
oaks, in the fullest knowledge of what was passing, was im-
mensely surprised and delighted. "Mr. Pendennls's income
is so much; the railroad will give him so much more, he
states ; Miss Bell has so much , and may probably have a little
more one day. For persons in their degree, they will be able
to manage very well. And I shall speak to my nephew Pyn-
sent, who I suspect was once rather attached to her, — but
of course that was out of the question ("Oh! of course, my
lady; I should think so indeed!") — not that you know any-
thing whatever about it, or have any business to think at all
on the subject, — I shall speak to George Pynsent, who is now
chief secretary of the Tape and Sealing Wax Office, and have
Mr. Pendennis made something. And, Beck, in the morning
you will carry down my compliments to Major Pendennis, and
say that I shall pay him a visit at one o'clock. — Yes," mut-
tered the old lady, "the Major must be reconciled, and he
must leave his fortune to Laura's children."

Accordingly, at one o'clock, the Dowager Lady Rock-
Pendennis. III. 27



418



minster appeared at Major Pendennis's , who was delighted,
as may be imagined, to receive so noble a visitor. The Major
had been prepared, if not for the news which her ladyship was
about to give him, at least with the intelligence that Pen's mar-
riage with Miss Amory was broken off. The young gentleman
bethinking him of his uncle, for the first time that day it must
be owned, and meeting his new servant in the hall of the hotel,
asked after the Major's health fromMr.Frosch ; and then went
into the coffee-room of the hotel, where he wrote a half-dozen
lines to acquaint his guardian with what had occurred. "Dear
uncle," he said, "if there has been any question between us,
it is over now. I went to Tunbrldge Wells yesterday, and
found that somebody else had carried off the prize about which
we were hesitating. Miss A. , without any compunction for
me, has bestowed herself upon Harry Foker, with his fifteen
thousand a-year. I came In suddenly upon their loves , and
found and left him in possession.

"And you '11 be glad to hear, Tatham writes me, that he
has sold three of my fields at Falroaks to the Railroad Com-
pany, at a great figure. I will tell you this, and more when
we meet; and am always your affectionate, — A. P."

"I think I am aware of what you were about to tell me,"
the Major said, with a most courtly smile and bow to Pen's
ambassadress. "It was a very great kindness of your ladyship
to think of bringing me the news. How well you look I How
very good you are! How very kind you have always been to
that young man I "

"It was for the sake of his uncle," said Lady Rockmlnster,
most politely,

"He has informed me of the state of affairs, and written me
a nice note, — yes, a nice note," continued the old gentle-
man; "and I find he has had an increase to his fortune, — yes ;
and, all things considered, I don't much regret that this affair



419



with Miss Amory is manquee, though I wished for It once, —
in fact, all things considered , I am very glad of it."

"We must console him, Major Pendennis," continued the
lady; "we must get him a wife." The truth then came across
the Major's mind, and he saw for what purpose Lady Rock-
minster had chosen to assume the office of ambassadress.

It is not necessary to enter into the conversation which
ensued, or to tell at any length how her ladyship concluded a
negotiation, which, in truth, was tolerably easy. There
could be no reason why Pen should not marry according to his
own and his mother's wish; and as for Lady Rockminster,
she supported the marriage by intimations which had very
great weight with the Major, but of which we shall say
nothing, as her ladyship (now, of course, much advanced in
years) is still alive, and the family might be angry; and, in
fine, the old gentleman was quite overcome by the deter-
mined graclousness of the lady, and her fondness for Laura.
Nothing, indeed, could be more bland and kind than Lady
Rockminster's whole demeanour, except for one moment
when the Major talked about his boy throwing himself away,
at which her ladyship broke out into a little speech, in which
she made the Major understand, what poor Pen and his
friends acknowledge very humbly, that Laura was a thousand
times too good for him. Laura was fit to be the wife of a
king, — Laura was a paragon of virtue and excellence. And
it must be said, that when Major Pendennis found that a lady
of the rank of the Countess of Rockminster seriously admired
Miss Bell, he instantly began to admire her himself.

So that when HerrFrosch was requested to walk up-stairs
to Lady Rockminster's apartments, and inform Miss Bell and
Mr. Arthur Pendennis that the Major would receive them,
and Laura appeared blushing and happy as she hung on Pen's
arm, the Major gave a shaky hand to one and the other, with

27*



420



no unaffected emotion and cordiality, and then went through
another salutation to Laura , which caused her to blush still
more. Happy blushes ! bright eyes beaming with the light of
love I The story-teller turns from this group to his young
audience, and hopes that one day their eyes may all shine so.

Pen having retreated in the most friendly manner, and the
lovely Blanche having bestowed her young affections upon a
blushing bridegroom, with fifteen thousand a-year, there
was such an outbreak of happiness in Lady Clavering's heart
and family as the good Begum had not known for many a year,
and she and Blanche were on the most delightful terms of cor-
diality and affection. The ardent Foker pressed onwards the
happy day, and was as anxious as might be expected to
abridge the period of mourning which had put him in posses-
sion of so many charms and amiable qualities, of which he had
been only, as it were, the heir apparent, not the actual owner,
until then. The gentle Blanche , everything that her affianced
lord could desire, was not averse to gratify the wishes of her
fond Henry. Lady Clavering came up from Tunbridge. Mil-
liners and jewellers were set to work and engaged to prepare
the delightful paraphernalia of Hymen. Lady Clavering was
in such a good humour, that Sir Francis even benefited by it,
and such a reconciliation was effected between this pair, that
Sir Francis came to London, sate at the head of his own table
once more, and appeared tolerably flush of money at his bil-
liard-rooms and gambling-houses again. One day, when
Major Pendennis and Arthur went to dine in Grosvenor Place,
they found an old acquaintance established in the quality of
Major Domo, and the gentleman in black , who, with perfect
politeness and gravity, offered them their choice of sweeter
dry champagne, was no other than Mr. James Morgan. The
Chevalier Strong was one of the party ; he was in high spirits



421



and condition , and entertained the company mth accounts of
his amusements abroad.

"It was my Lady who invited me," said Strong to Arthur,
under his voice — "that fellow Morgan looked as black as
thunder when I came in. He is about no good here. I will
go away j&rst, and wait for you and Major Pendennis at Hyde
Park Gate."

Mr. Morgan helped Major Pendennis to his great coat
when he was quitting the house; and muttered something
about having accepted a temporary engagement with the
Clavering family.

. "I have got a paper of your's . Mr. Morgan ," said the old
gentleman.

"Which you can show, if you please, to Sir Francis, Sir,
and perfectly welcome," said Mr. Morgan, with downcast
eyes. "I 'm very much obliged to you. Major Pendennis,
and if I can pay you for all your kindness I will."

Arthur overheard the sentence, and saw the look of hatred
v^hich accompanied it, suddenly cried out that he had forgot-
ten his handkerchief, and ran up-stairs to the drawing-room
again. Foker was still there; still lingering about his syren.
Pen gave the syren a look full of meaning, and we suppose
that the syren understood meaning looks, for when, after
finding the veracious handkerchief of which he came in quest,
he once more went out, the syren, with a laughing voice,
said, "O, Arthur — Mr. Pendennis — I want you to tell dear
Laura something 1 " and she came out to the door.

" What is it? " she asked, shutting the door.

"Have you told Harry? Do you know that villain Morgan
knows all."

"I know it," she said.

"Have you told Harry?"

"No, no," she said. "You won't betray me?"



422



" Morgan will ," said Pen.

"No, he won't," said Blanche. *' I have promised him —
nHmporte. Wait until after our marriage — O, until after
our marriage — O, how wretched I am," said the girl, who
had been all smiles, and grace, and gaiety during the evening,

Arthur said, "I beg and implore you to tell Harry. Tell
him now. It is no fault of your's. He will pardon you
anything. Tell him to-night."

" And give her this — // est la — with my love, please ; and
I beg your pardon for calling you back; and if she will be at
Madame Crinoline's at half-past three, and if Lady Rock-
minster can spare her, I should so like to drive with her in the
park;" and she went in, singing and kissing her little hand,
as Morgan the velvet-footed came up the carpeted stair.

Pen heard Blanche's piano breaking out into brilliant music
as he went down to join his uncle; and they walked away
together. Arthur briefly told him what he had done. '* What
was to be done?" he asked.

"What is to be done, begad?" said the old gentleman.
"What is to be done but to leave it alone? Begad, let us be
thankful," said the old fellow, with a shudder, "that we are
out of the business, and leave it to those it concerns."

"I hope to Heaven she '11 tell him," said Pen.

"Begad, she '11 take her own course," said the old man.
"Miss Amory is a dev'lish wide awake girl. Sir, and must play
her own cards; and I 'm doosid glad you are out of it — doosid
glad, begad. Who 's this smoking? O, it 's Mr. Strong again.
He wants to put in his oar, I suppose. I tell you, don't meddle
in the business, Arthur."

Strong began once or twice, as if to converse upon the
subject, but the Major would not hear a word. He remarked
on the moonlight on Apsley House, the weather, the cab-
stands — anything but that subject. He bowed stiffly to Strong,



423



and clung to his nephew's arm, as he turned down St. James's
Street, and again cautioned Pen to leave the affair alone. "It
had like to have cost you so much , Sir , that you may take my
advice," he said.

When Arthur came out of the hotel, Strong's cloak and
cigar were visible a few doors off. The jolly Chevalier laughed
as they met. "I 'm an old soldier, too ," he said. " I wanted
to talk to you, Pendennis. I have heard of all that has hap-
pened, and all the chops and changes that have taken place
during my absence. I congratulate you on your marriage,
and I congratulate you on your escape, too, — you understand
me. It was not my business to speak, but I know this , that a
certain party is as arrant a little — well — w©ll , never mind
what. You acted like a man , and a trump , and are well out
ofit."

"I have no reason to complain," said Pen. "I went back
to beg and entreat poor Blanche to tell Foker all: I hope, for
her sake, she will; but I fear not. There is but one policy,
Strong, there is but one."

"And lucky he that can stick to it," said the Chevalier.
" That rascal Morgan means mischief. He has been lurking
about our chambers for the last two months: he has found out
that poor mad devil Amory's secret. He has been trying to
discover where he was : he has been pumping Mr. Bolton, and
making old Costigan drunk several times. He bribed the Inn
porter to tell him when we came back: and he has got into