ire! satire! Mr. Pendennis," says the divine, holding up a reproving
finger of lavender kid, "beware of a wicked wit!--But when a man has
that tendency, I know how difficult it is to restrain. My dear Colonel,
good evening! You have a great reception to-night. That gentleman's bass
voice is very fine; Mr. Pendennis and I were admiring it. 'The Wolf' is
a song admirably adapted to show its capabilities."

Mr. Gandish's autobiography had occupied the whole time of the
retirement of the ladies from Colonel Newcome's dinner-table. Mr. Hobson
Newcome had been asleep during the performance; Sir Curry Baughton and
one or two of the Colonel's professional and military guests, silent and
puzzled. Honest Mr. Binnie, with his shrewd good-humoured face, sipping
his claret as usual, and delivering a sly joke now and again to the
gentlemen at his end of the table. Mrs. Newcome had sat by him in
sulky dignity; was it that Lady Baughton's diamonds offended her?--her
ladyship and her daughters being attired in great splendour for a Court
ball, which they were to attend that evening. Was she hurt because she
was not invited to that Royal Entertainment? As the festivities were to
take place at an early hour, the ladies bidden were obliged to quit the
Colonel's house before the evening part commenced, from which Lady Anne
declared she was quite vexed to be obliged to run away.

Lady Anne Newcome had been as gracious on this occasion as her
sister-in-law had been out of humour. Everything pleased her in the
house. She had no idea that there were such fine houses in that quarter
of the town. She thought the dinner so very nice,--that Mr Binnie such
a good-humoured-looking gentleman. That stout gentleman with his
collars turned down like Lord Byron, so exceedingly clever and full of
information. A celebrated artist was he? (courtly Mr. Smee had his own
opinion upon that point, but did not utter it). All those artists are so
eccentric and amusing and clever. Before dinner she insisted upon seeing
Clive's den with its pictures and casts and pipes. "You horrid young
wicked creature, have you begun to smoke already?" she asks, as she
admires his room. She admired everything. Nothing could exceed her
satisfaction.

The sisters-in-law kissed on meeting, with that cordiality so delightful
to witness in sisters who dwell together in unity. It was, "My
dear Maria, what an age since I have seen you!" "My dear Anne, our
occupations are so engrossing,