g was an utter
scoundrel. That fellow Bloundell, who taught you card-playing at
Oxbridge, was with Strong; and time, I think, has brought out his
valuable qualities, and rendered him a more accomplished rascal than
he was during your undergraduateship. But the king of the place was the
famous Colonel Altamont, who was carrying all before him, giving flies
to the whole society, and breaking the bank, it was said."

"My uncle knows something about that fellow--Clavering knows something
about him. There's something louche regarding him. But come! I must
go to Bury Street, like a dutiful nephew." And, taking his hat, Pen
prepared to go.

"I will walk, too," said Warrington. And they descended the stairs,
stopping, however, at Pen's chambers, which, as the reader has been
informed, were now on the lower story.

Here Pen began sprinkling himself with eau-de-Cologne, and carefully
scenting his hair and whiskers with that odoriferous water.

"What is the matter? You've not been smoking. Is it my pipe that has
poisoned you?" growled Warrington.

"I am going to call upon some women," said Pen. "I'm--I'm going to dine
with 'em. They are passing through town, and are at an hotel in Jermyn
Street."

Warrington looked with good-natured interest at the young fellow
dandifying himself up to a pitch of completeness; and appearing at
length in a gorgeous shirt-front and neckcloth, fresh gloves, and
glistening boots. George had a pair of thick high-lows, and his old
shirt was torn about the breast, and ragged at the collar, where his
blue beard had worn it.

"Well, young un," said he, simply, "I like you to be a buck; somehow.
When I walk about with you, it is as if I had a rose in my button-hole.
And you are still affable. I don't think there is any young fellow in
the Temple turns out like you; and I don't believe you were ever ashamed
of walking with me yet."

"Don't laugh at me, George." said Pen.

"I say, Pen," continued the other, sadly, "if you write--if you write to
Laura, I wish you would say 'God bless her' from me."

Pen blushed; and then looked at Warrington; and then--and then burst
into an uncontrollable fit of laughing.

"I'm going to dine with her," he said. "I brought her and Lady
Rockminster up from the country to-day--made two days of it--slept last
night at Bath--I say, George, come and dine, too. I may ask any one I
please, and the old lady is constantly talking about you."

George refused. George had