ld not see that he
was unwelcome. He looked about the premises for a seat, and none being
disengaged, for a dish-cover was on one, a workbox on the other, and so
forth, he took one of the children's chairs, and perched himself upon
that uncomfortable eminence. At this, the children began laughing, the
child Fanny louder than all--at least, she was more amused than any of
them, and amazed at His Royal Highness's condescension. He to sit down
in that chair--that little child's chair!--Many and many a time after,
she regarded it: haven't we almost all, such furniture in our rooms,
that our fancy peoples with dear figures, that our memory fills with
sweet smiling faces, which may never look on us more?

So Pen sate down and talked away with great volubility to Mrs. Bolton.
He asked about the undertaking business, and how many mutes went down
with Lady Estrich's remains; and about the Inn, and who lived there. He
seemed very much interested about Mr. Campion's cab and horse, and had
met that gentleman in society. He thought he should like shares in the
Polwheedle and Tredyddlum; did Mrs. Bolton do for those chambers? Were
there any chambers to let in the Inn? It was better than the Temple: he
should like to come to live in Shepherd's Inn. As for Captain Strong,
and--Colonel Altamont--was his name? he was deeply interested in them
too. The Captain was an old friend at home. He had dined with him at
chambers here, before the Colonel came to live with him. What sort of
man was the Colonel? Wasn't he a stout man, with a large quantity of
jewellery, and a wig and large black whiskers--very black (here Pen
was immensely waggish, and caused hysteric giggles of delight from the
ladies)--very black indeed; in fact, blue black; that is to say, a rich
greenish purple? That was the man; he had met him, too, at Sir Fr---- in
Society.

"Oh, we know," said the ladies, "Sir F---- is Sir F. Clavering he's
often here: two or three times a week with the Captain. My little boy
has been out for bill-stamps for him. O Lor! I beg pardon, I shouldn't
have mentioned no secrets," Mrs. Bolton blurted out, being talked
perfectly into good-nature by this time. "But we know you to be a
gentleman, Mr. Pendennis, for I'm sure you have shown that you can
beayve as such. Hasn't Mr. Pendennis, Fanny?"

Fanny loved her mother for that speech. She cast up her dark eyes to the
low ceiling and said, "Oh, that he has, I'm sure, Ma," with a voice full
of feeling