Pen's chambers, Arthur and Warrington would have stopped
their talk, and chosen another subject, and discoursed about the Opera,
or the last debate in Parliament, or Miss Jones's marriage with Captain
Smith, or what not,--so, let us imagine that the public steps in at this
juncture, and stops the confidential talk between author and reader,
and begs us to resume our remarks about this world, with which both are
certainly better acquainted than with that other one into which we have
just been peeping.

On coming into his property, Arthur Pendennis at first comported himself
with a modesty and equanimity which obtained his friend Warrington's
praises, though Arthur's uncle was a little inclined to quarrel with
his nephew's meanness of spirit, for not assuming greater state and
pretensions now that he had entered on the enjoyment of his kingdom.
He would have had Arthur installed in handsome quarters, and riding
on showy park hacks, or in well-built cabriolets, every day. "I am
too absent," Arthur said, with a laugh, "to drive a cab in London; the
omnibus would cut me in two, or I should send my horse's head into the
ladies' carriage-windows; and you wouldn't have me driven about by my
servant like an apothecary, uncle?" No, Major Pendennis would on
no account have his nephew appear like an apothecary; the august
representative of the house of Pendennis must not so demean himself. And
when Arthur, pursuing his banter, said, "And yet, I dare say, sir, my
father was proud enough when he first set up his gig," the old Major
hemmed and ha'd, and his wrinkled face reddened with a blush as he
answered, "You know what Buonaparte said, sir, 'Il faut laver son linge
sale en famille.' There is no need, sir, for you to brag that your
father was a--a medical man. He came of a most ancient but fallen house,
and was obliged to reconstruct the family fortunes as many a man of good
family has done before him. You are like the fellow in Sterne, sir--the
Marquis who came to demand his sword again. Your father got back
yours for you. You are a man of landed estate, by Gad, sir, and a
gentleman--never forget you are a gentleman."

Then Arthur slily turned on his uncle the argument which he had heard
the old gentleman often use regarding himself. "In the society which I
have the honour of frequenting through your introduction, who cares to
ask about my paltry means or my humble gentility, uncle?" he asked. "It
would be absurd of me to attemp