l be very stupid; and you
don't like that. But you can write your book, and still hunt and shoot
with our friends here. And Lady Anne Newcome must be made to come back
again. Sir Barnes quarrelled with his mother and drove her out of the
house on her last visit--think of that! The servants here know it.
Martha brought me the whole story from the housekeeper's room. This Sir
Barnes Newcome is a dreadful creature, Arthur. I am so glad I loathed
him from the very first moment I saw him."

"And into this ogre's den you propose to put me and my family, madam!"
says the husband. "Indeed, where won't I go if you order me? Oh, who
will pack my portmanteau?"

Florac and the Princess were both in desolation when, at dinner, we
announced our resolution to go away--and to our neighbours at Newcome!
that was more extraordinary. "Que diable goest thou to do in this
galley?" asks our host as we sat alone over our wine.

But Laura's intended visit to Lady Clara was never to have a fulfilment,
for on this same evening, as we sate at our dessert, comes a messenger
from Newcome, with a note for my wife from the lady there:--

"Dearest, kindest Mrs. Pendennis," Lady Clara wrote, with many italics,
and evidently in much distress of mind. "Your visit is not to be.
I spoke about it to Sir B., who arrived this afternoon, and who has
already begun to treat me in his usual way. Oh, I am so unhappy! Pray,
pray do not be angry at this rudeness--though indeed it is only a
kindness to keep you from this wretched place! I feel as if I cannot
bear this much longer. But, whatever happens, I shall always remember
your goodness, your beautiful goodness and kindness; and shall worship
you as an angel deserves to be worshipped. Oh, why had I not such a
friend earlier! But alas! I have none--only this odious family thrust
upon me for companions to the wretched, lonely, C. N.

"P.S.--He does not know of my writing. Do not be surprised if you get
another note from me in the morning, written in a ceremonious style and
regretting that we cannot have the pleasure of receiving Mr. and Mrs.
Pendennis for the present at Newcome.

"P.S.--The hypocrite!"

This letter was handed to my wife at dinner-time, and she gave it to me
as she passed out of the room with the other ladies.

I told Florac that the Newcomes could not receive us, and that we would
remain, if he willed it, his guests for a little longer. The kind fellow
was only too glad to keep us. "My