n. He was the Pen of old days
once more restored to her, the frank and affectionate, the generous and
tender-hearted. She at once took side with Helen against Doctor Portman,
when he outcried at the enormity of Pen's transgressions. Debts? what
were his debts? they were a trifle; he had been thrown into expensive
society by his uncle's order, and of course was obliged to live in
the same manner as the young gentlemen whose company he frequented.
Disgraced by not getting his degree? the poor boy was ill when he went
in for the examinations: he couldn't think of his mathematics and stuff
on account of those very debts which oppressed him; very likely some of
the odious tutors and masters were jealous of him, and had favourites of
their own whom they wanted to put over his head. Other people disliked
him, and were cruel to him, and were unfair to him, she was very sure.
And so, with flushing cheeks and eyes bright with anger, this young
creature reasoned; and she went up and seized Helen's hand, and kissed
her in the Doctor's presence, and her looks braved the Doctor, and
seemed to ask how he dared to say a word against her darling mother's
Pen?

When that divine took his leave, not a little discomfited and amazed at
the pertinacious obstinacy of the women, Laura repeated her embraces and
arguments with tenfold fervour to Helen, who felt that there was a
great deal of cogency in most of the latter. There must be some jealousy
against Pen. She felt quite sure that he had offended some of the
examiners, who had taken a mean revenge of him--nothing more likely.
Altogether, the announcement of the misfortune vexed these two ladies
very little indeed. Pen, who was plunged in his shame and grief in
London, and torn with great remorse for thinking of his mother's sorrow,
would have wondered, had he seen how easily she bore the calamity.
Indeed, calamity is welcome to women if they think it will bring truant
affection home again: and if you have reduced your mistress to a crust,
depend upon it that she won't repine, and only take a very little bit of
it for herself, provided you will eat the remainder in her company.

And directly the Doctor was gone, Laura ordered fires to be lighted
in Mr. Arthur's rooms, and his bedding to be aired; and had these
preparations completed by the time Helen had finished a most tender
and affectionate letter to Pen: when the girl, smiling fondly, took her
mamma by the hand, and led her into those a