he cried out, with a gesture which was
always appropriate, though rather theatrical; "I have no heart, have
I? I keep the secret of my mother's shame. I give up my rights to my
half-brother and my bastard brother, yes, my rights and my fortune.
I don't betray my father, and for this I have no heart. I'll have my
rights now, and the laws of my country shall give them to me. I appeal
to my country's laws--yes, my country's laws! The persecuted one returns
this day. I desire to go to my father." And the little lady swept round
her hand, and thought that she was a heroine.

"You will, will you?" cried out Clavering, with one of his usual oaths.
"I'm a magistrate, and dammy, I'll commit him. Here's a chaise coming;
perhaps it's him. Let him come."

A chaise was indeed coming up the avenue; and the two women shrieked
each their loudest, expecting at that moment to see Altamont arrive.

The door opened, and Mr. Morgan announced Major Pendennis and Mr.
Pendennis, who entered, and found all parties engaged in this fierce
quarrel. A large screen fenced the breakfast-room from the hall; and
it is probable that, according to his custom, Mr. Morgan had taken
advantage of the screen to make himself acquainted with all that
occurred.

It had been arranged on the previous day that the young people should
ride; and at the appointed hour in the afternoon, Mr. Foker's horses
arrived from the Clavering Arms. But Miss Blanche did not accompany
him on this occasion. Pen came out and shook hands with him on the
door-steps; and Harry Foker rode away, followed by his groom in
mourning. The whole transactions which have occupied the most active
part of our history were debated by the parties concerned during those
two or three hours. Many counsels had been given, stories told, and
compromises suggested; and at the end, Harry Foker rode away, with a sad
"God bless you!" from Pen. There was a dreary dinner at Clavering Park,
at which the lately installed butler did not attend; and the ladies were
both absent. After dinner, Pen said, "I will walk down to Clavering and
see if he is come." And he walked through the dark avenue, across the
bridge and road by his own cottage,--the once quiet and familiar fields
of which were flaming with the kilns and forges of the artificers
employed on the new railroad works; and so he entered the town, and made
for the Clavering Arms.

It was past midnight when he returned to Clavering Park. He was
exceedingly