"No more has a certain person for holy water," his lordship replied

with a bow and a grin and a great jarring laugh afterwards.

So these two ladies did not see much of each other except upon those

occasions when the younger brother's wife, having an object to gain

from the other, frequented her. They my-loved and my-deared each other

assiduously, but kept apart generally, whereas Sir Pitt, in the midst

of his multiplied avocations, found daily time to see his sister-in-law.

On the occasion of his first Speaker's dinner, Sir Pitt took the

opportunity of appearing before his sister-in-law in his uniform--that

old diplomatic suit which he had worn when attache to the Pumpernickel

legation.

Becky complimented him upon that dress and admired him almost as much

as his own wife and children, to whom he displayed himself before he

set out. She said that it was only the thoroughbred gentleman who

could wear the Court suit with advantage: it was only your men of

ancient race whom the culotte courte became. Pitt looked down with

complacency at his legs, which had not, in truth, much more symmetry or

swell than the lean Court sword which dangled by his side--looked down

at his legs, and thought in his heart that he was killing.

When he was gone, Mrs. Becky made a caricature of his figure, which she

showed to Lord Steyne when he arrived. His lordship carried off the

sketch, delighted with the accuracy of the resemblance. He had done

Sir Pitt Crawley the honour to meet him at Mrs. Becky's house and had

been most gracious to the new Baronet and member. Pitt was struck too

by the deference with which the great Peer treated his sister-in-law,

by her ease and sprightliness in the conversation, and by the delight

with which the other men of the party listened to her talk. Lord Steyne

made no doubt but that the Baronet had only commenced his career in

public life, and expected rather anxiously to hear him as an orator; as

they were neighbours (for Great Gaunt Street leads into Gaunt Square,

whereof Gaunt House, as everybody knows, forms one side) my lord hoped

that as soon as Lady Steyne arrived in London she would have the honour

of making the acquaintance of Lady Crawley. He left a card upon his

neighbour in the course of a day or two, having never thought fit to

notice his predecessor, though they had lived near each other for near

a century past.

In the midst of these intrigues and fine parties and wise and brilliant

personages Rawdon felt himself more and more isolated every day. He

was allowed to go to the club more; to dine abroad with bachelor

friends; to come and go when he liked, without any questions being

asked. And he and Rawdon the younger many a time would walk to Gaunt

Street and sit with the lady and the children there while Sir Pitt was

closeted with Rebecca, on his way to the House, or on his return from

it.




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