Morgan heard at the George
of Pen's acquaintance with Mr. Foker, and he went over to Baymouth to
enter into relations with that gentleman's man; but the young student
was gone to a Coast Regatta, and his servant, of course, travelled in
charge of the dressing-case.

From the servants of the officers at the barracks Mr. Morgan found that
the Captain had so frequently and outrageously inebriated himself
there, that Colonel Swallowtail had forbidden him the messroom. The
indefatigable Morgan then put himself in communication with some of the
inferior actors at the theatre, and pumped them over their cigars and
punch, and all agreed that Costigan was poor, shabby, and given to debt
and to drink. But there was not a breath upon the reputation of Miss
Fotheringay: her father's courage was reported to have displayed itself
on more than one occasion towards persons disposed to treat his daughter
with freedom. She never came to the theatre but with her father: in his
most inebriated moments, that gentleman kept a watch over her; finally
Mr. Morgan, from his own experience added that he had been to see her
act, and was uncommon delighted with the performance, besides thinking
her a most splendid woman.

Mrs. Creed, the pew-opener, confirmed these statements to Doctor
Portman, who examined her personally, and threatened her with the
terrors of the Church one day after afternoon service. Mrs. Creed had
nothing unfavourable to her lodger to divulge. She saw nobody; only
one or two ladies of the theatre. The Captain did intoxicate himself
sometimes, and did not always pay his rent regularly, but he did when
he had money, or rather Miss Fotheringay did. Since the young gentleman
from Clavering had been and took lessons in fencing, one or two more had
come from the barracks; Sir Derby Oaks, and his young friend, Mr.
Foker, which was often together; and which was always driving over from
Baymouth in the tandem. But on the occasions of the lessons, Miss F. was
very seldom present, and generally came downstairs to Mrs. Creed's own
room.

The Doctor and the Major consulting together as they often did, groaned
in spirit over that information. Major Pendennis openly expressed his
disappointment; and, I believe, the Divine himself was ill pleased at
not being able to jack a hole in poor Miss Fotheringay's reputation.

Even about Pen himself, Mrs. Creed's reports were desperately
favourable. "Whenever he come," Mrs. Creed said, "She always