rought a card in Mrs.
Mackenzie's frank handwriting, announcing Mr. James Binnie's address was
"Poste-restante, Pau, in the Pyrenees," and that his London agents were
Messrs. So-and-so. The woman said she believed the gentleman had been
unwell. The house, too, looked very pale, dismal, and disordered. We
drove away from the door, grieving to think that ill-health, or any
other misfortunes, had befallen good old James.

Mrs. Pendennis drove back to our lodgings, Brixham's, in Jermyn Street,
while I sped to the City, having business in that quarter. It has been
said that I kept a small account with Hobson Brothers, to whose bank I
went, and entered the parlour with that trepidation which most poor men
feel on presenting themselves before City magnates and capitalists.
Mr. Hobson Newcome shook hands most jovially and good-naturedly,
congratulated me on my marriage, and so forth, and presently Sir Barnes
Newcome made his appearance, still wearing his mourning for his deceased
father.

Nothing could be more kind, pleasant, and cordial than Sir Barnes's
manner. He seemed to know well about my affairs; complimented me on
every kind of good fortune; had heard that I had canvassed the borough
in which I lived; hoped sincerely to see me in Parliament and on the
right side; was most anxious to become acquainted with Mrs. Pendennis,
of whom Lady Rockminster said all sorts of kind things; and asked for
our address, in order that Lady Clara Newcome might have the pleasure of
calling on my wife. This ceremony was performed soon afterwards; and
an invitation to dinner from Sir Barnes and Lady Clara Newcome speedily
followed it.

Sir Barnes Newcome, Bart., M.P., I need not say, no longer inhabited the
small house which he had occupied immediately after his marriage: but
dwelt in a much more spacious mansion in Belgravia, where he entertained
his friends. Now that he had come into his kingdom, I must say
that Barnes was by no means so insufferable as in the days of his
bachelorhood. He had sown his wild oats, and spoke with regret and
reserve of that season of his moral culture. He was grave, sarcastic,
statesmanlike; did not try to conceal his baldness (as he used before
his father's death, by bringing lean wisps of hair over his forehead
from the back of his head); talked a great deal about the House; was
assiduous in his attendance there and in the City; and conciliating with
all the world. It seemed as if we were all his constitue