ory is----"

"What! that too?" asked Pendennis.

"That, too, dear Arthur. Tout se sait, as somebody would say, whom I
intend to be very fond of; and who I am sure is very clever and pretty.
I have had a letter from Blanche. The kindest of letters. She speaks so
warmly of you, Arthur! I hope--I know she feels what she writes.--When
is it to be, Arthur? Why did you not tell me? I may come and live with
you then, mayn't I?"

"My home is yours, dear Laura, and everything I have," Pen said. "If
I did not tell you, it was because--because--I do not know: nothing is
decided as yet. No words have passed between us. But you think Blanche
could be happy with me--don't you? Not a romantic fondness, you know.
I have no heart, I think; I've told her so: only a sober-sided
attachment:--and want my wife on one side of the fire and my sister on
the other,--Parliament in the session and Fairoaks in the holidays, and
my Laura never to leave me until somebody who has a right comes to take
her away."

Somebody who has a right--somebody with a right! Why did Pen, as he
looked at the girl and slowly uttered the words, begin to feel angry
and jealous of the invisible somebody with the right to take her away?
Anxious, but a minute ago, how she would take the news regarding his
probable arrangements with Blanche, Pen was hurt somehow that she
received the intelligence so easily, and took his happiness for granted.

"Until somebody comes," Laura said, with a laugh, "I will stay at home
and be aunt Laura, and take care of the children when Blanche is in the
world. I have arranged it all. I am an excellent housekeeper. Do you
know I have been to market at Paris with Mrs. Beck, and have taken
some lessons from M. Grandjean? And I have had some lessons in Paris in
singing too, with the money which you sent me, you kind boy: and I can
sing much better now: and I have learned to dance, though not so well as
Blanche; and when you become a minister of state, Blanche shall present
me:" and with this, and with a provoking good-humour, she performed for
him the last Parisian curtsey.

Lady Rockminster came in whilst this curtsey was being performed, and
gave to Arthur one finger to shake; which he took, and over which he
bowed as well as he could, which, in truth, was very clumsily.

"So you are going to be married, sir," said the old lady.

"Scold him, Lady Rockminster, for not telling us," Laura said, going
away: which, in truth, the old lady be