engagement to
his cousin was known in the world, he was forced to make a mystery of
his passion, and confine it to his own breast, so that it was so pent in
there and pressed down, that it is a wonder he did not explode some day
with the stormy secret, and perish collapsed after the outburst.

There had been a grand entertainment at Gaunt House on one beautiful
evening in June, and the next day's journals contained almost two
columns of the names of the most closely printed nobility and gentry who
had been honoured with invitations to the ball. Among the guests
were Sir Francis and Lady Clavering and Miss Amory, for whom the
indefatigable Major Pendennis had procured an invitation, and our two
young friends Arthur and Harry. Each exerted himself, and danced a great
deal with Miss Blanche. As for the worthy Major, he assumed the charge
of Lady Clavering, and took care to introduce her to that department of
the mansion where her ladyship specially distinguished herself, namely,
the refreshment-room, where, amongst pictures of Titian and Giorgione,
and regal portraits of Vandyke and Reynolds, and enormous salvers of
gold and silver, and pyramids of large flowers, and constellations of
wax candles--in a manner perfectly regardless of expense, in a word--a
supper was going on all night. Of how many creams, jellies, salads,
peaches, white soups, grapes, pates, galantines, cups of tea, champagne,
and so forth, Lady Clavering partook, it does not become us to say. How
much the Major suffered as he followed the honest woman about,
calling to the solemn male attendants and lovely servant-maids, and
administering to Lady Clavering's various wants with admirable patience,
nobody knows;--he never confessed. He never allowed his agony to appear
on his countenance in the least; but with a constant kindness brought
plate after plate to the Begum.

Mr. Wagg counted up all the dishes of which Lady Clavering partook
as long as he could count (but as he partook very freely himself of
champagne during the evening, his powers of calculation were not to
be trusted at the close of the entertainment), and he recommended Mr.
Honeyman, Lady Steyne's medical man, to look carefully after the Begum,
and to call and get news of her ladyship the next day.

Sir Francis Clavering made his appearance, and skulked for a while about
the magnificent rooms; but the company and the splendour which he met
there were not to the Baronet's taste, and after toss