d I
am not sorry that you gave him a little dressing. But you were too hard
upon him, Colonel--really you were." "Had I known that child-deserting
story I would have given it harder still, sir," says Thomas Newcome,
twirling his mustachios: "but my brother had nothing to do with the
quarrel, and very rightly did not wish to engage in it. He has an eye to
business, has Master Hobson too," my friend continued: "for he brought
me a cheque for my private account, which of course, he said, could not
remain after my quarrel with Barnes. But the Indian bank account, which
is pretty large, he supposed need not be taken away? and indeed why
should it? So that, which is little business of mine, remains where it
was; and brother Hobson and I remain perfectly good friends.

"I think Clive is much better since he has been quite put out of his
suspense. He speaks with a great deal more kindness and good-nature
about the marriage than I am disposed to feel regarding it: and depend
on it has too high a spirit to show that he is beaten. But I know he
is a good deal cut up, though he says nothing; and he agreed willingly
enough to take a little journey, Arthur, and be out of the way when
this business takes place. We shall go to Paris: I don't know where else
besides. These misfortunes do good in one way, hard as they are to bear:
they unite people who love each other. It seems to me my boy has been
nearer to me, and likes his old father better than he has done of late."
And very soon after this talk our friends departed.

The Crimean minister having been recalled, and Lady Anne Newcome's house
in park Lane being vacant, her ladyship and her family came to occupy
the mansion for this eventful season, and sate once more in the dismal
dining-room under the picture of the defunct Sir Brian. A little of
the splendour and hospitality of old days was revived in the house:
entertainments were given by Lady Anne: and amongst other festivities
a fine ball took place, when pretty Miss Alice, Miss Ethel's younger
sister, made her first appearance in the world, to which she was
afterwards to be presented by the Marchioness of Farintosh. All the
little sisters were charmed, no doubt, that the beautiful Ethel was to
become a beautiful Marchioness, who, as they came up to womanhood one
after another, would introduce them severally to amiable young earls,
dukes, and marquises, when they would be married off and wear
coronets and diamonds of their own r