he present at
least. Very likely Arthur looked at his own letters with some tremor;
very likely, as he received them at the family table, feeling his
mother's watch upon him (though the good soul's eye seemed fixed upon
her teacup or her book), he expected daily to see a little handwriting,
which he would have known, though he had never seen it yet, and his
heart beat as he received the letters to his address. Was he more
pleased or annoyed, that, day after day, his expectations were not
realised; and was his mind relieved, that there came no letter from
Fanny? Though, no doubt, in these matters, when Lovelace is tired of
Clarissa (or the contrary) it is best for both parties to break at once,
and each, after the failure of the attempt at union, to go his own way,
and pursue his course through life solitary; yet our self-love, or our
pity, or our sense of decency, does not like that sudden bankruptcy.
Before we announce to the world that our firm of Lovelace and Co. can't
meet its engagements, we try to make compromises: we have mournful
meetings of partners: we delay the putting up of the shutters, and the
dreary announcement of the failure. It must come: but we pawn our jewels
to keep things going a little longer. On the whole, I dare say, Pen was
rather annoyed that he had no remonstrances from Fanny. What! could she
part from him, and never so much as once look round? could she sink, and
never once hold a little hand out, or cry, "Help, Arthur?" Well, well:
they don't all go down who venture on that voyage. Some few drown when
the vessel founders; but most are only ducked, and scramble to shore.
And the reader's experience of A. Pendennis, Esquire, of the Upper
Temple, will enable him to state whether that gentleman belonged to the
class of persons who were likely to sink or to swim.

Though Pen was as yet too weak to walk half a mile; and might not, on
account of his precious health, be trusted to take a drive in a carriage
by himself, and without a nurse in attendance; yet Helen could not keep
watch over Mr. Warrington too, and had no authority to prevent that
gentleman from going to London if business called him thither. Indeed,
if he had gone and stayed, perhaps the widow, from reasons of her own,
would have been glad; but she checked these selfish wishes as soon
as she ascertained or owned them; and, remembering Warrington's great
regard and services, and constant friendship for her boy, received him
as a membe