 with Clavering's d-- house-steward, as he
irreverently called Strong. But Mr. Welbore Welbore, Clavering's country
neighbour and brother member of Parliament, speedily arriving, Pendennis the
elder was somewhat appeased; for Welbore, though perfectly dull, and taking no
more part in the conversation at dinner than the footman behind his chair, was a
respectable country gentleman of ancient family and seven thousand a year, and
the Major felt always at ease in such society. To these were added other persons
of note - the Dowager Lady Rockminster, who had her reasons for being well with
the Clavering family; and the Lady Agnes Foker, with her son, Mr. Harry, our old
acquaintance. Mr. Pynsent could not come, his parliamentary duties keeping him
at the House - duties which sate upon the two other senators very lightly. Miss
Blanche Amory was the last of the company who made her appearance. She was
dressed in a killing white silk dress, which displayed her pearly shoulders to
the utmost advantage. Foker whispered to Pen, who regarded her with eyes of
evident admiration, that he considered her a stunner. She chose to be very
gracious to Arthur upon this day, and held out her hand most cordially, and
talked about dear Fairoaks, and asked for dear Laura and his mother, and said
she was longing to go back to the country, and in fact was entirely simple,
affectionate, and artless.
    Harry Foker thought he had never seen anybody so amiable and delightful. Not
accustomed much to the society of ladies, and ordinarily being dumb in their
presence, he found that he could speak before Miss Amory, and became uncommonly
lively and talkative, even before the dinner was announced and the party
descended to the lower rooms. He would have longed to give his arm to the fair
Blanche, and conduct her down the broad carpeted stair; but she fell to the lot
of Pen upon this occasion, Mr. Foker being appointed to escort Mrs. Welbore
Welbore, in consequence of his superior rank as an earl's grandson.
    But though he was separated from the object of his desire during the passage
downstairs, the delighted Foker found himself by Miss Amory's side at the
dinner-table, and flattered himself that he had manoeuvred very well in securing
that happy place. It may be that the move was not his, but that it was made by
another person. Blanche had thus the two young men, one on each side of her, and
each tried to render himself gallant and agreeable.
    Foker's mamma, from her place,
