f for you. See that every shilling we owe is
paid before--before a week is over. And go down and ask Binnie if I can
see him in his study. I want to have some conversation with him." When
Clive was gone away, he said to me in a very sweet voice, "In God's
name, keep my boy out of debt when I am gone, Arthur. I shall return to
India very soon."

"Very soon, sir! You have another year's leave," said I.

"Yes, but no allowances, you know; and this affair of Honeyman's has
pretty nearly emptied the little purse I had set aside for European
expenses. They have been very much heavier than I expected. As it is, I
overdrew my account at my brother's, and have been obliged to draw money
from my agents in Calcutta. A year sooner or later (unless two of our
senior officers had died, when I should have got my promotion and full
colonel's pay with it, and proposed to remain in this country)--a year
sooner or later, what does it matter? Clive will go away and work at his
art, and see the great schools of painting while I am absent. I thought
at one time how pleasant it would be to accompany him. But l'homme
propose, Pendennis. I fancy now a lad is not the better for being always
tied to his parent's apron-string. You young fellows are too clever for
me. I haven't learned your ideas or read your books. I feel myself very
often an old damper in your company. I will go back, sir, where I have
some friends, where I am somebody still. I know an honest face or two,
white and brown, that will lighten up in the old regiment when they
see Tom Newcome again. God bless you, Arthur. You young fellows in this
country have such cold ways that we old ones hardly know how to like you
at first. James Binnie and I, when we first came home, used to talk you
over, and think you laughed at us. But you didn't, I know. God Almighty
bless you, and send you a good wife, and make a good man of you. I have
bought a watch, which I would like you to wear in remembrance of me and
my boy, to whom you were so kind when you were boys together in the
old Grey Friars." I took his hand, and uttered some incoherent words of
affection and respect. Did not Thomas Newcome merit both from all who
knew him?

His resolution being taken, our good Colonel began to make silent but
effectual preparations for his coming departure. He was pleased during
these last days of his stay to give me even more of his confidence than
I had previously enjoyed, and was kind enough to say tha