 landlord and landlady of the Clavering Arms was the
ambition of both of them; and it was agreed that they were to remain in Lady
Clavering's service until quarter-day arrived, when they were to take possession
of their hotel. Pen graciously promised that he would give his election dinner
there, when the Baronet should vacate his seat in the young man's favour; and,
as it had been agreed by his uncle, to whom Clavering seemed to be able to
refuse nothing, Arthur came down in September on a visit to Clavering Park, the
owner of which was very glad to have a companion who would relieve his
loneliness, and perhaps would lend him a little ready-money.
    Pen furnished his host with these desirable supplies a couple of days after
he had made his appearance at Clavering; and no sooner were these small funds in
Sir Francis's pocket, than the latter found he had business at Chatteris and the
neighbouring watering-places, of which --shire boasts many, and went off to see
to his affairs, which were transacted, as might be supposed, at the county
race-grounds and billiard-rooms. Arthur could live alone well enough, having
many mental resources and amusements which did not require other persons'
company. He could walk with the gamekeeper of a morning; and for the evenings
there were plenty of books and occupation for a literary genius like Mr. Arthur,
who required but a cigar and a sheet of paper or two to make the night pass away
pleasantly. In truth, in two or three days he had found the society of Sir
Francis Clavering perfectly intolerable; and it was with a mischievous eagerness
and satisfaction that he offered Clavering the little pecuniary aid which the
latter according to his custom solicited, and supplied him with the means of
taking flight from his own house.
    Besides, our ingenious friend had to ingratiate himself with the townspeople
of Clavering, and with the voters of the borough which he hoped to represent;
and he set himself to this task with only the more eagerness, remembering how
unpopular he had before been in Clavering, and determined to vanquish the odium
which he had inspired amongst the simple people there. His sense of humour made
him delight in this task. Naturally rather reserved and silent in public, he
became on a sudden as frank, easy, and jovial as Captain Strong. He laughed with
everybody who would exchange a laugh with him; shook hands right and left, with
what may be certainly called a dexterous cordiality; made his appearance at the
market-day and the farmers' ordinary; and
