 own way, and pursue his course
through life solitary; yet our self-love, or our pity, or our sense of decency,
does not like that sudden bankruptcy. Before we announce to the world that our
firm of Lovelace and Co. can't meet its engagements, we try to make compromises;
we have mournful meetings of partners; we delay the putting up of the shutters,
and the dreary announcement of the failure. It must come; but we pawn our jewels
to keep things going a little longer. On the whole, I daresay, Pen was rather
annoyed that he had no remonstrances from Fanny. What! could she part from him,
and never so much as once look round? could she sink, and never once hold a
little hand out, or cry, »Help, Arthur!« Well, well; they don't all go down who
venture on that voyage. Some few drown when the vessel founders; but most are
only ducked, and scramble to shore. And the reader's experience of A. Pendennis,
Esquire, of the Upper Temple, will enable him to state whether that gentleman
belonged to the class of persons who were likely to sink or to swim.
    Though Pen was as yet too weak to walk half a mile, and might not, on
account of his precious health, be trusted to take a drive in a carriage by
himself, and without a nurse in attendance, yet Helen could not keep watch over
Mr. Warrington too, and had no authority to prevent that gentleman from going to
London, if business called him thither. Indeed, if he had gone and stayed,
perhaps the widow, from reasons of her own, would have been glad. But she
checked these selfish wishes as soon as she ascertained or owned them; and,
remembering Warrington's great regard and services, and constant friendship for
her boy, received him as a member of her family almost, with her usual
melancholy kindness and submissive acquiescence. Yet somehow, one morning when
his affairs called him to town, she divined what Warrington's errand was, and
that he was gone to London to get news about Fanny for Pen.
    Indeed, Arthur had had some talk with his friend, and told him more at large
what his adventures had been with Fanny (adventures which the reader knows
already), and what were his feelings respecting her. He was very thankful that
he had escaped the great danger, to which Warrington said Amen heartily - that
he had no great fault wherewith to reproach himself in regard of his behaviour
to
