they shared them together.

What could Fanny expect when suddenly brought up for sentence before a
couple of such judges? Nothing but swift condemnation, awful punishment,
merciless dismissal! Women are cruel critics in cases such as that in
which poor Fanny was implicated; and we like them to be so; for, besides
the guard which a man places round his own harem, and the defences which
a woman has in her heart, her faith, and honour, hasn't she all her own
friends of her own sex to keep watch that she does not go astray, and to
tear her to pieces if she is found erring? When our Mahmouds or Selims
of Baker Street or Belgrave Square visit their Fatimas with condign
punishment, their mothers sew up Fatima's sack for her, and her sisters
and sisters-in-law see her well under water. And this present writer
does not say nay. He protests most solemnly he is a Turk, too. He wears
a turban and a beard like another, and is all for the sack practice,
Bismillah! But O you spotless, who have the right of capital punishment
vested in you, at least be very cautious that you make away with the
proper (if so she may be called) person. Be very sure of the fact before
you order the barge out: and don't pop your subject into the Bosphorus,
until you are quite certain that she deserves it. This is all I would
urge in poor Fatima's behalf--absolutely all--not a word more, by the
beard of the Prophet. If she's guilty, down with her--heave over the
sack, away with it into the Golden Horn bubble and squeak, and justice
being done, give way, men, and let us pull back to supper.

So the Major did not in any way object to Warrington's continued
promenades with Miss Laura, but, like a benevolent old gentleman,
encouraged in every way the intimacy of that couple. Were there any
exhibitions in town? he was for Warrington conducting her to them.
If Warrington had proposed to take her to Vauxhall itself, this most
complaisant of men would have seen no harm,--nor would Helen, if
Pendennis the elder had so ruled it,--nor would there have been any
harm between two persons whose honour was entirely spotless,--between
Warrington, who saw in intimacy a pure, and high-minded, and artless
woman for the first time in his life,--and Laura, who too for the
first time was thrown into the constant society of a gentleman of great
natural parts and powers of pleasing; who possessed varied acquirements,
enthusiasm, simplicity, humour, and that freshness of mind which