"of the--of the treat you had in store for us. I had no idea
we were going to meet professional people; Mrs. Sherrick's singing is
indeed beautiful."

"If you come up to our place in the Regent's Park, Mr. Newcome," Mr.
Sherrick says, "Mrs. S. and Emily will give you as many songs as you
like. How do you like the house in Fitzroy Square? Anything wanting
doing there? I'm a good landlord to a good tenant. Don't care what I
spend on my houses. Lose by 'em sometimes. Name a day when you'll come
to us; and I'll ask some good fellows to meet you. Your father and Mr.
Binnie came once. That was when you were a young chap. They didn't have
a bad evening, I believe. You just come and try us--I can give you as
good a glass of wine as most, I think," and he smiles, perhaps thinking
of the champagne which Mr. Warrington had slighted. "I've ad the close
carriage for my wife this evening," he continues, looking out of window
at a very handsome brougham which has just drawn up there. "That little
pair of horses steps prettily together, don't they? Fond of horses? I
know you are. See you in the Park; and going by our house sometimes. The
Colonel sits a horse uncommonly well: so do you, Mr. Newcome. I've often
said, 'Why don't they get off their horses and say, Sherrick, we're come
for a bit of lunch and a glass of Sherry?' Name a day, sir. Mr. P., will
you be in it?"

Clive Newcome named a day, and told his father of the circumstance in
the evening. The Colonel looked grave. "There was something which I did
not quite like about Mr. Sherrick," said that acute observer of human
nature. "It was easy to see that the man is not quite a gentleman. I
don't care what a man's trade is, Clive. Indeed, who are we, to give
ourselves airs upon that subject? But when I am gone, my boy, and
there is nobody near you who knows the world as I do, you may fall into
designing hands, and rogues may lead you into mischief: keep a sharp
look-out, Clive. Mr. Pendennis, here, knows that there are designing
fellows abroad" (and the dear old gentleman gives a very knowing nod as
he speaks). "When I am gone, keep the lad from harm's way, Pendennis.
Meanwhile Mr. Sherrick has been a very good and obliging landlord; and
a man who sells wine may certainly give a friend a bottle. I am glad
you had a pleasant evening, boys. Ladies, I hope you have had a pleasant
afternoon. Miss Rosey, you are come back to make tea for the old
gentlemen? James begins to get about bri