Morgan and his employer had
their confidential conversations, for they did not meet much at other
times of the day--the Major abhorring the society of his own chairs and
tables in his lodgings; and Morgan, his master's toilet over and letters
delivered, had his time very much on his own hands.

This spare time the active and well-mannered gentleman bestowed among
the valets and butlers of the nobility, his acquaintance; and Morgan
Pendennis, as he was styled, for, by such compound names, gentlemen's
gentlemen are called in their private circles, was a frequent and
welcome guest at some of the very highest tables in this town. He was a
member of two influential clubs in Mayfair and Pimlico; and he was thus
enabled to know the whole gossip of the town, and entertain his master
very agreeably during the two hours' toilet conversation. He knew a
hundred tales and legends regarding persons of the very highest ton,
whose valets canvass their august secrets, just, my dear Madam, as our
own parlour-maids and dependants in the kitchen discuss our characters,
our stinginess and generosity, our pecuniary means or embarrassments,
and our little domestic or connubial tiffs and quarrels. If I leave this
manuscript open on my table, I have not the slightest doubt Betty will
read it, and they will talk it over in the lower regions to-night; and
to-morrow she will bring in my breakfast with a face of such entire
imperturbable innocence, that no mortal could suppose her guilty
of playing the spy. If you and the Captain have high words upon any
subject, which is just possible, the circumstances of the quarrel,
and the characters of both of you, will be discussed with impartial
eloquence over the kitchen tea-table; and if Mrs. Smith's maid should
by chance be taking a dish of tea with yours, her presence will not
undoubtedly act as a restraint upon the discussion in question; her
opinion will be given with candour; and the next day her mistress will
probably know that Captain and Mrs. Jones have been a quarrelling as
usual. Nothing is secret. Take it as a rule that John knows everything:
and as in our humble world so in the greatest: a duke is no more a hero
to his valet-de-chambre than you or I; and his Grace's Man at his club,
in company doubtless with other Men of equal social rank, talks over
his master's character and affairs with the ingenuous truthfulness which
befits gentlemen who are met together in confidence. Who is a niggard
a