o set my noble patient
up. What is the theatre which is most frequented by the--by the higher
classes in town, hey, Sam! and to what amusement will you take an old
country doctor to-night, hey, sir?"

On the next day, when Mr. Huxter called in Jermyn Street at twelve
o'clock, Lady Rockminster had not yet left her room, but Miss Bell and
Mr. Pendennis were in waiting to receive him. Lady Rockminster had had a
most comfortable night, and was getting on as well as possible. How had
Mr. Huxter amused himself? at the theatre? with his son? What a capital
piece it was, and how charmingly Mrs. O'Leary looked and sang it! and
what a good fellow young Huxter was! liked by everybody, an honour to
his profession. He has not his father's manners, I grant you, or that
old-world tone which is passing away from us, but a more excellent,
sterling fellow never lived. "He ought to practise in the country
whatever you do, sir," said Arthur--"he ought to marry--other people are
going to do so--and settle."

"The very words that her Ladyship used yesterday, Mr. Pendennis. He
ought to marry. Sam should marry, sir."

"The town is full of temptations, sir," continued Pen. The old gentleman
thought of that houri, Mrs. O'Leary.

"There is no better safeguard for a young man than an early marriage
with an honest affectionate creature."

"No better, sir, no better."

"And love is better than money, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is," said Miss Bell.

"I agree with so fair an authority," said the old gentleman, with a bow.

"And--and suppose, sir," Pen said, "that I had a piece of news to
communicate to you."

"God bless my soul, Mr. Pendennis! what do you mean?" asked the old
gentleman.

"Suppose I had to tell you that a young man, carried away by an
irresistible passion for an admirable and most virtuous young
creature--whom everybody falls in love with--had consulted the dictates
of reason and his heart, and had married. Suppose I were to tell you
that that man is my friend; that our excellent, our truly noble friend
the Countess Dowager of Rockminster is truly interested about him
(and you may fancy what a young man can do in life when THAT family is
interested for him); suppose I were to tell you that you know him--that
he is here--that he is----"

"Sam married! God bless my soul, sir, you don't mean that!"

"And to such a nice creature, dear Mr. Huxter."

"Her Ladyship is charmed with her," said Pen, telling almost the first
fib wh