s, was forced to confess that they were most elegant; and that the
prettiest rooms in London--Lady Harley Quin's, Lady Hanway Wardour's,
or Mrs. Hodge-Podgson's own; the great Railroad Croesus' wife, were not
fitted up with a more consummate "chastity."

Poor Lady Clavering, meanwhile, knew little regarding these things, and
had a sad want of respect for the splendours around her. "I only know
they cost a precious deal of money, Major," she said to her guest, "and
that I don't advise you to try one of them gossamer gilt chairs: I came
down on one the night we gave our second dinner-party. Why didn't you
come and see us before? We'd have asked you to it."

"You would have liked to see Mamma break a chair, wouldn't you, Mr.
Pendennis?" dear Blanche said with a sneer. She was angry because Pen
was talking and laughing with Mamma, because Mamma had made a number of
blunders in describing the house--for a hundred other good reasons.

"I should like to have been by to give Lady Clavering my arm if she had
need of it," Pen answered, with a bow and a blush.

"Quel preux Chevalier!" cried the Sylphide, tossing up her little head.

"I have a fellow-feeling with those who fall, remember," Pen said. "I
suffered myself very much from doing so once."

"And you went home to Laura to console you," said Miss Amory. Pen
winced. He did not like the remembrance of the consolation which Laura
had given to him, nor was he very well pleased to find that his rebuff
in that quarter was known to the world; so as he had nothing to say in
reply, he began to be immensely interested in the furniture round about
him, and to praise Lady Clavering's taste with all his might.

"No, don't praise me," said honest Lady Clavering, "it's all the
upholsterer's doings and Captain Strong's, they did it all while we
was at the Park--and--and--Lady Rockminster has been here and says the
salongs are very well," said Lady Clavering, with an air and tone of
great deference.

"My cousin Laura has been staying with her," Pen said.

"It's not the dowager: it is the Lady Rockminster."

"Indeed!" cried Major Pendennis, when he heard this great name of
fashion. "If you have her ladyship's approval, Lady Clavering, you
cannot be far wrong. No, no, you cannot be far wrong. Lady Rockminster,
I should say, Arthur, is the very centre of the circle of fashion and
taste. The rooms are beautiful indeed!" and the Major's voice hushed
as he spoke of this great lady, and h