nd screws up his money-boxes: who is in the hands of the money-lenders,
and is putting his noble name on the back of bills of exchange: who
is intimate with whose wife: who wants whom to marry her daughter,
and which he won't, no not at any price:--all these facts gentlemen's
confidential gentlemen discuss confidentially, and are known and
examined by every person who has any claim to rank in genteel society.
In a word, if old Pendennis himself was said to know everything, and
was at once admirably scandalous and delightfully discreet; it is but
justice to Morgan to say, that a great deal of his master's information
was supplied to that worthy man by his valet, who went out and foraged
knowledge for him. Indeed, what more effectual plan is there to get a
knowledge of London society, than to begin at the foundation--that is,
at the kitchen floor?

So Mr. Morgan and his employer conversed as the latter's toilet
proceeded. There had been a drawing-room on the previous day, and
the Major read among the presentations that of Lady Clavering by Lady
Rockminster, and of Miss Amory by her mother Lady Clavering,--and in a
further part of the paper their dresses were described, with a precision
and in a jargon which will puzzle and amuse the antiquary of future
generations. The sight of these names carried Pendennis back to the
country. "How long have the Claverings been in London?" he asked; "pray,
Morgan, have you seen any of their people?"

"Sir Francis have sent away his foring man, sir," Mr. Morgan replied;
"and have took a friend of mine as own man, sir. Indeed he applied on
my reckmendation. You may recklect Towler, sir,--tall red-aired man--but
dyes his air. Was groom of the chambers in Lord Levant's family till his
Lordship broke hup. It's a fall for Towler, sir; but pore men can't be
particklar," said the valet, with a pathetic voice.

"Devilish hard on Towler, by gad!" said the Major, amused, "and not
pleasant for Lord Levant--he, he!"

"Always knew it was coming, sir. I spoke to you of it Michaelmas was
four years: when her Ladyship put the diamonds in pawn. It was Towler,
sir, took 'em in two cabs to Dobree's--and a good deal of the plate went
the same way. Don't you remember seeing of it at Blackwall, with the
Levant arms and coronick, and Lord Levant settn oppsit to it at the
Marquis of Steyne's dinner? Beg your pardon; did I cut you, sir?"

Morgan was now operating upon the Major's chin--he continued the theme