on. And she put her
handkerchief over the bracelet, and then she advanced, with a hand which
trembled very much, to greet Pen.

"How is dearest Laura?" she said. The face of Foker looking up from his
profound mourning--that face, so piteous and puzzled, was one which the
reader's imagination must depict for himself; also that of Master Frank
Clavering, who, looking at the three interesting individuals with an
expression of the utmost knowingness, had only time to ejaculate the
words, "Here's a jolly go!" and to disappear sniggering.

Pen, too, had restrained himself up to that minute; but looking still at
Foker, whose ears and cheeks tingled with blushes, Arthur burst out into
a fit of laughter, so wild and loud, that it frightened Blanche much
more than any the most serious exhibition.

"And this was the secret, was it? Don't blush and turn away, Foker,
my boy. Why, man, you are a pattern of fidelity. Could I stand between
Blanche and such constancy--could I stand between Miss Amory and fifteen
thousand a year?"

"It is not that, Mr. Pendennis," Blanche said, with great dignity. "It
is not money, it is not rank, it is not gold that moves me; but it is
constancy, it is fidelity, it is a whole trustful loving heart offered
to me, that I treasure--yes, that I treasure!" And she made for her
handkerchief, but, reflecting what was underneath it, she paused. "I do
not disown, I do not disguise--my life is above disguise--to him on whom
it is bestowed, my heart must be for ever bare--that I once thought I
loved you,--yes, thought I was beloved by you, I own! How I clung to
that faith! How I strove, I prayed, I longed to believe it! But your
conduct always--your own words so cold, so heartless, so unkind, have
undeceived me. You trifled with the heart of the poor maiden! You flung
me back with scorn the troth which I had plighted! I have explained
all--all to Mr. Foker."

"That you have," said Foker, with devotion, and conviction in his looks.

"What, all?" said Pen, with a meaning look at Blanche. "It is I am in
fault, is it? Well, well, Blanche, be it so. I won't appeal against
your sentence, and bear it in silence. I came down here looking to very
different things, Heaven knows, and with a heart most truly and kindly
disposed towards you. I hope you may be happy with another, as, on my
word, it was my wish to make you so; and I hope my honest old friend
here will have a wife worthy of his loyalty, his constancy, and