Thus it was that Laura Bell became Mrs. Pendennis's daughter. Neither her
husband nor that gentleman's brother, the Major, viewed her with very
favourable eyes. She reminded the first of circumstances in his wife's
life which he was forced to accept, but would have forgotten much more
willingly and as for the second, how could he regard her? She was
neither related to his own family of Pendennis, nor to any nobleman in
this empire, and she had but a couple of thousand pounds for her fortune.

And now let Mr. Pen come in, who has been waiting all this while.

Having strung up his nerves, and prepared himself, without at the door,
for the meeting, he came to it, determined to face the awful uncle. He
had settled in his mind that the encounter was to be a fierce one, and
was resolved on bearing it through with all the courage and dignity of
the famous family which he represented. And he flung open the door and
entered with the most severe and warlike expression, armed cap-a-pie as
it were, with lance couched and plumes displayed, and glancing at his
adversary, as if to say, "Come on, I'm ready."

The old man of the world, as he surveyed the boy's demeanour, could
hardly help a grin at his admirable pompous simplicity. Major Pendennis
too had examined his ground; and finding that the widow was already half
won over to the enemy, and having a shrewd notion that threats and tragic
exhortations would have no effect upon the boy, who was inclined to be
perfectly stubborn and awfully serious, the Major laid aside the
authoritative manner at once, and with the most good-humoured natural
smile in the world, held out his hands to Pen, shook the lad's passive
fingers gaily, and said, "Well, Pen, my boy, tell us all about it."