tle of the
yellow seal, you old thief--the very best--a hundred rupees a dozen, and
no mistake."

The host reflected a moment over his company. There is only Welbore,
Pendennis, and those two lads, he thought--and with a forced laugh and a
piteous look, he said,--"Well, Altamont, come in. I am very glad to see
you, I'm sure."

Colonel Altamont, for the intelligent reader has doubtless long ere this
discovered in the stranger His Excellency the Ambassador of the Nawaub
of Lucknow, reeled into the dining-room, with a triumphant look towards
Jeames, the footman, which seemed to say, "There, sir, what do you think
of that? Now, am I a gentleman or no?" and sank down into the first
vacant chair. Sir Francis Clavering timidly stammered out the Colonel's
name to his guest Mr. Welbore Welbore, and his Excellency began drinking
wine forthwith and gazing round upon the company, now with the most
wonderful frowns, and anon with the blandest smiles, and hiccupped
remarks encomiastic of the drink which he was imbibing.

"Very singular man. Has resided long in a native court in India,"
Strong said, with great gravity, the Chevalier's presence of mind never
deserting him--"in those Indian courts they get very singular habits."

"Very," said Major Pendennis, drily, and wondering what in goodness'
name was the company into which he had got.

Mr. Foker was pleased with the new-comer. "It's the man who would sing
the Malay song at the Back Kitchen," he whispered to Pen. "Try this
pine, sir," he then said to Colonel Altamont, "it's uncommonly fine."

"Pines--I've seen 'em feed pigs on pines," said the Colonel.

"All the Nawaub of Lucknow's pigs are fed on pines," Strong whispered to
Major Pendennis.

"Oh, of course," the Major answered. Sir Francis Clavering was, in the
meanwhile, endeavouring to make an excuse to his brother-guest for the
new-comer's condition, and muttered something regarding Altamont, that
he was an extraordinary character, very eccentric, very--had Indian
habits--didn't understand the rules of English society--to which
old Welbore, a shrewd old gentleman, who drank his wine with great
regularity, said, "that seemed pretty clear."

Then the Colonel, seeing Pen's honest face, regarded it for a while with
as much steadiness as became his condition; and said, "I know you, too,
young fellow. I remember you. Baymouth ball, by Jingo. Wanted to fight
the Frenchman. I remember you;" and he laughed, and he squared with