itted to be the
companion of your mother?"

"I will know from herself if it is true," Arthur said, crumpling up the
paper.

"Won't you take my word of honour? Her letters were written by a
confidant of hers, who writes better than she can--look here. Here's
one from the lady to your friend, Mr. Foker. You have seen her with Miss
Costigan, as whose amanuensis she acted"--the Major said, with ever so
little of a sneer, and laid down a certain billet which Mr. Foker had
given to him.

"It's not that," said Pen, burning with shame and rage. "I suppose what
you say is true, sir, but I'll hear it from herself."

"Arthur!" appealed his mother.

"I will see her," said Arthur. "I'll ask her to marry me, once more. I
will. No one shall prevent me."

"What, a woman who spells affection with one f? Nonsense, sir. Be a man,
and remember that your mother is a lady. She was never made to associate
with that tipsy old swindler or his daughter. Be a man and forget her,
as she does you."

"Be a man and comfort your mother, my Arthur," Helen said, going and
embracing him: and seeing that the pair were greatly moved, Major
Pendennis went out of the room and shut the door upon them, wisely
judging that they were best alone.

He had won a complete victory. He actually had brought away Pen's
letters in his portmanteau from Chatteris: having complimented Mr.
Costigan, when he returned them, by giving him the little promissory
note which had disquieted himself and Mr. Garbetts; and for which the
Major settled with Mr. Tatham.

Pen rushed wildly off to Chatteris that day, but in vain attempted to
see Miss Fotheringay, for whom he left a letter, enclosed to her
father. The enclosure was returned by Mr. Costigan, who begged that all
correspondence might end; and after one or two further attempts of
the lad's, the indignant General desired that their acquaintance might
cease. He cut Pen in the street. As Arthur and Foker were pacing the
Castle walk, one day, they came upon Emily on her father's arm. She
passed without any nod of recognition. Foker felt poor Pen trembling on
his arm.

His uncle wanted him to travel, to quit the country for a while, and
his mother urged him too: for he was growing very ill, and suffered
severely. But he refused, and said point-blank he would not go. He would
not obey in this instance: and his mother was too fond, and his uncle
too wise to force him. Whenever Miss Fotheringay acted, he rode over to
the