o address to Blanche, and which was really as
virtuous, honest, and well-minded an oration as any man of his turn of
mind, and under his circumstances, could have uttered. The purport of
it was--"Blanche, I cannot understand from your last letter what your
meaning is, or whether my fair and frank proposal to you is acceptable
or no. I think you know the reason which induces me to forgo the worldly
advantages which a union with you offered, and which I could not accept
without, as I fancy, being dishonoured. If you doubt of my affection,
here I am ready to prove it. Let Smirke be called in, and let us be
married out of hand; and with all my heart I purpose to keep my vow, and
to cherish you through life, and to be a true and a loving husband to
you."

From the fly Arthur sprang out then to the hall-door, where he was met
by a domestic whom he did not know. The man seemed to be surprised at
the approach of the gentleman with the carpet-bag, which he made no
attempt to take from Arthur's hands. "Her Ladyship's not at home, sir,"
the man remarked.

"I am Mr. Pendennis," Arthur said. "Where is Lightfoot?"

"Lightfoot is gone," answered the man. "My Lady is out, and my orders
was----"

"I hear Miss Amory's voice in the drawing-room," said Arthur. "Take the
bag to a dressing-room, if you please;" and, passing by the porter, he
walked straight towards that apartment, from which, as the door opened,
a warble of melodious notes issued.

Our little Siren was at her piano singing with all her might and
fascinations. Master Clavering was asleep on the sofa, indifferent to
the music; but near Blanche sat a gentleman who was perfectly enraptured
with her strain, which was of a passionate and melancholy nature.

As the door opened, the gentleman started up with Hullo! the music
stopped, with a little shriek from the singer; Frank Clavering woke up
from the sofa, and Arthur came forward and said, "What, Foker! how do
you do, Foker?" He looked at the piano, and there, by Miss Amory's side,
was just such another purple-leather box as he had seen in Harry's
hand three days before, when the heir of Logwood was coming out of a
jeweller's shop in Waterloo Place. It was opened, and curled round
the white satin cushion within was, oh, such a magnificent serpentine
bracelet, with such a blazing ruby head and diamond tail!

"How de-do, Pendennis?" said Foker. Blanche made many motions of the
shoulders, and gave signs of unrest and agitati