kind to me here--too good and
kind, dear Mr. Pynsent--but I am little better than a dependant."

"A dependant! who ever so thought of you? You are the equal of all the
world," Pynsent broke out.

"I am a dependant at home, too," Laura said, sweetly, "and indeed I would
not be otherwise. Left early a poor orphan, I have found the kindest and
tenderest of mothers, and I have vowed never to leave her--never.
Pray do not speak of this again--here, under your relative's roof, or
elsewhere. It is impossible."

"If Lady Rockminster asks you herself, will you listen to her?" Pynsent
cried eagerly.

"No," Laura said. "I beg you never to speak of this any more. I must go
away if you do"--and with this she left him.

Pynsent never asked for Lady Rockminster's intercession; he knew how
vain it was to look for that: and he never spoke again on that subject
to Laura or to any person.

When at length the famous novel appeared it not only met with applause
from more impartial critics than Mrs. Pendennis, but, luckily for Pen
it suited the taste of the public, and obtained a quick and considerable
popularity before two months were over, Pen had the satisfaction and
surprise of seeing the second edition of 'Walter Lorraine' advertised in
the newspapers; and enjoyed the pleasure of reading and sending home
the critiques of various literary journals and reviewers upon his book.
Their censure did not much affect him; for the good-natured young man
was disposed to accept with considerable humility the dispraises of
others. Nor did their praise elate him over much; for, like most honest
persons he had his own opinion about his own performance, and when a
critic praised him in the wrong place he was rather hurt than pleased by
the compliment. But if a review of his work was very laudatory, it was a
great pleasure to him to send it home to his mother at Fairoaks, and to
think of the joy which it would give there. There are some natures, and
perhaps, as we have said, Pendennis's was one, which are improved
and softened by prosperity and kindness, as there are men of other
dispositions, who become arrogant and graceless under good fortune.
Happy he, who can endure one or the other with modesty and good-humour!
Lucky he who has been educated to bear his fate, whatsoever it may be,
by an early example of uprightness, and a childish training in honour!

CHAPTER XLIII. Alsatia

Bred up, like a bailiff or a shabby attorney, about the