ne instant doubted that his views were the only views practicable,
and that his conduct was perfectly virtuous and respectable. He was a
man of honour, in a word: and had his eyes, what he called, open. He
took pity on this young greenhorn of a nephew, and wanted to open his
eyes too.

No man, for instance, went more regularly to church when in the country
than the old bachelor. "It don't matter so much in town, Pen," he said,
"for there the women go and the men are not missed. But when a gentleman
is sur ses terres, he must give an example to the country people: and
if I could turn a tune, I even think I should sing. The Duke of Saint
David's, whom I have the honour of knowing, always sings in the country,
and let me tell you, it has a doosed fine effect from the family pew.
And you are somebody down here. As long as the Claverings are away you
are the first man in the parish: and as good as any. You might represent
the town if you played your cards well. Your poor dear father would have
done so had he lived; so might you.--Not if you marry a lady, however
amiable, whom the country people won't meet.--Well, well: it's a painful
subject. Let us change it, my boy." But if Major Pendennis changed the
subject once he recurred to it a score of times in the day: and the
moral of his discourse always was, that Pen was throwing himself away.
Now it does not require much coaxing or wheedling to make a simple boy
believe that he is a very fine fellow.

Pen took his uncle's counsels to heart. He was glad enough, we have
said, to listen to his elder's talk. The conversation of Captain
Costigan became by no means pleasant to him, and the idea of that tipsy
old father-in-law haunted him with terror. He couldn't bring that man,
unshaven and reeking of punch, to associate with his mother. Even about
Emily--he faltered when the pitiless guardian began to question him.
"Was she accomplished?" He was obliged to own, no. "Was she clever?"
Well, she had a very good average intellect: but he could not absolutely
say she was clever. "Come, let us see some of her letters." So Pen
confessed that he had but those three of which we have made mention--and
that they were but trivial invitations or answers.

"She is cautious enough," the Major said, drily. "She is older than
you, my poor boy;" and then he apologised with the utmost frankness and
humility, and flung himself upon Pen's good feelings, begging the lad to
excuse a fond old uncle, who