f somewhere and be a general? Why haven't I a
genius? I say, Pen, sir, why haven't I a genius? There is a painter who
lives hard by, and who sends sometimes, to beg me to come and look at
his work. He is in the Muggins line too. He gets his canvases with a
good light upon them: excludes the contemplation of all other objects,
stands beside his pictures in an attitude himself, and thinks that he
and they are masterpieces. Masterpieces! Oh me, what drivelling wretches
we are! Fame!--except that of just the one or two--what's the use of
it? I say, Pen, would you feel particularly proud now if you had written
Hayley's poems? And as for a second place in painting, who would care
to be Caravaggio or Caracci? I wouldn't give a straw to be Caracci or
Caravaggio. I would just as soon be yonder artist who is painting up
Foker's Entire over the public-house at the corner. He will have his
payment afterwards, five shillings a day, and a pot of beer. Your head
a little more to the light, Mrs. Pendennis, if you please. I am tiring
you, I dare say, but then, oh, I am doing it so badly!"

I, for my part, thought Clive was making a very pretty drawing of my
wife, and having affairs of my own to attend to, would often leave her
at his chambers as a sitter, or find him at our lodgings visiting her.
They became the very greatest friends. I knew the young fellow could
have no better friend than Laura; and not being ignorant of the malady
under which he was labouring, concluded naturally and justly that Clive
grew so fond of my wife, not for her sake entirely, but for his own,
because he could pour his heart out to her, and her sweet kindness and
compassion would soothe him in his unhappy condition.

Miss Ethel, I have said, also professed a great fondness for Mrs.
Pendennis; and there was that charm in the young lady's manner which
speedily could overcome even female jealousy. Perhaps Laura determined
magnanimously to conquer it; perhaps she hid it so as to vex me and
prove the injustice of my suspicions: perhaps, honestly, she was
conquered by the young beauty, and gave her a regard and admiration
which the other knew she could inspire whenever she had the will.
My wife was fairly captivated by her at length. The untameable young
creature was docile and gentle in Laura's presence; modest, natural,
amiable, full of laughter and spirits, delightful to see and to hear;
her presence cheered our quiet little household; her charm fascinated my