ich was the brass plate of 'Creed, Tailor
and Robe-maker.' Creed was dead, however. His widow was a pew-opener in
the cathedral hard by; his eldest son was a little scamp of a choir-boy,
who played toss-halfpenny, led his little brothers into mischief, and
had a voice as sweet as an angel. A couple of the latter were sitting
on the door-step, down which you went into the passage of the house;
and they jumped up with great alacrity to meet their lodger, and plunged
wildly, and rather to Pen's surprise, at the swallow-tails of the
Captain's dress-coat; for the truth is, that the good-natured gentleman,
when he was in cash, generally brought home an apple or a piece of
gingerbread for these children. "Whereby the widdy never pressed me for
rint when not convanient," as he remarked afterwards to Pen, winking
knowingly, and laying a finger on his nose.

Pen tumbled down the step, and as he followed his companion up the
creaking old stair, his knees trembled under him. He could hardly see
when he entered, following the Captain, and stood in the room--in her
room. He saw something black before him, and waving as if making a
curtsey, and heard, but quite indistinctly, Costigan making a speech
over him, in which the Captain, with his usual magniloquence, expressed
to "me child" his wish to make her known to "his dear and admirable
young friend, Mr. Awther Pindinnis, a young gentleman of property in
the neighbourhood, a person of refoined moind, and enviable manners,
a sincare lover of poethry, and a man possest of a feeling and
affectionate heart."

"It is very fine weather," Miss Fotheringay said, in an Irish accent,
and with a deep rich melancholy voice.

"Very," said Mr. Pendennis. In this romantic way their conversation
began; and he found himself seated on a chair, and having leisure to
look at the young lady.

She looked still handsomer off the stage, than before the lamps. All her
attitudes were naturally grand and majestical. If she went and stood up
against the mantelpiece her robe draped itself classically round her;
her chin supported itself on her hand, the other lines of her form
arranged themselves in full harmonious undulations--she looked like a
Muse in contemplation. If she sate down on a cane-bottomed chair, her
arm rounded itself over the back of the seat, her hand seemed as if
it ought to have a sceptre put into it, the folds of her dress fell
naturally round her in order, like ladies of honour round a th