one. He was reading it with a
stupefied face. It stated what the Major had said, that Mr. Costigan
was most gratified for the kindness with which Arthur had treated
his daughter, but that he was only now made aware of Mr. Pendennis's
peecupiary circumstances. They were such that marriage was at present
out of the question, and considering the great disparity in the age of
the two, a future union was impossible. Under these circumstances, and
with the deepest regret and esteem for him, Mr. Costigan bade Arthur
farewell, and suggested that he should cease visiting, for some time at
least, at his house.

A few lines from Miss Costigan were enclosed. She acquiesced in the
decision of her Papa. She pointed out that she was many years older
than Arthur, and that an engagement was not to be thought of. She
would always be grateful for his kindness to her, and hoped to keep his
friendship. But at present, and until the pain of the separation should
be over, she entreated they should not meet.

Pen read Costigan's letter and its enclosure mechanically, hardly
knowing what was before his eyes. He looked up wildly, and saw his
mother and uncle regarding him with sad faces. Helen's, indeed, was full
of tender maternal anxiety.

"What--what is this?" Pen said. "It's some joke. This is not her
writing. This is some servant's writing. Who's playing these tricks upon
me?"

"It comes under her father's envelope," the Major said. "Those letters
you had before were not in her hand: that is hers."

"How do you know?" said Pen very fiercely.

"I saw her write it," the uncle answered, as the boy started up; and his
mother, coming forward, took his hand. He put her away.

"How came you to see her? How came you between me and her? What have
I ever done to you that you should--Oh, it's not true! it's not
true!"--Pen broke out with a wild execration. "She can't have done it of
her own accord. She can't mean it. She's pledged to me. Who has told her
lies to break her from me?"

"Lies are not told in the family, Arthur," Major Pendennis replied. "I
told her the truth, which was, that you had no money to maintain her,
for her foolish father had represented you to be rich. And when she knew
how poor you were, she withdrew at once, and without any persuasion of
mine. She was quite right. She is ten years older than you are. She
is perfectly unfitted to be your wife, and knows it. Look at that
handwriting, and ask yourself, is such a woman f