 our humble world, so in the greatest. A duke is no more a
hero to his valet-de-chambre than you or I; and his Grace's Man at his club, in
company doubtless with other Men of equal social rank, talks over his master's
character and affairs with the ingenuous truthfulness which befits gentlemen who
are met together in confidence. Who is a niggard, and screws up his money-boxes;
who is in the hands of the money-lenders, and is putting his noble name on the
back of bills of exchange; who is intimate with whose wife; who wants whom to
marry her daughter, and which he won't, no, not at any price - all these facts
gentlemen's confidential gentlemen discuss confidentially, and are known and
examined by every person who has any claim to rank in genteel society. In a
word, if old Pendennis himself was said to know everything, and was at once
admirably scandalous and delightfully discreet, it is but justice to Morgan to
say that a great deal of his master's information was supplied to that worthy
man by his valet, who went out and foraged knowledge for him. Indeed, what more
effectual plan is there to get a knowledge of London society, than to begin at
the foundation - that is, at the kitchen-floor?
    So Mr. Morgan and his employer conversed as the latter's toilet proceeded.
There had been a Drawing-room on the day previous, and the Major read among the
presentations that of Lady Clavering by Lady Rockminster, and of Miss Amory by
her mother, Lady Clavering; and in a further part of the paper their dresses
were described, with a precision and in a jargon which will puzzle and amuse the
antiquary of future generations. The sight of these names carried Pendennis back
to the country. »How long have the Claverings been in London?« he asked; »pray,
Morgan, have you seen any of their people?«
    »Sir Francis have sent away his foring man, sir,« Mr. Morgan replied, »and
have took a friend of mine as own man, sir. Indeed, he applied on my
reckmendation. You may recklect Towler, sir - tall, red-'aired man - but dyes
his 'air. Was groom of the chambers in Lord Levant's famly till his Lordship
broke hup. It's a fall for Towler, sir; but pore men can't be particklar,« said
the valet, with a pathetic voice.
    »Devilish hard on Towler, by
