another. Both the elderly gentlemen looked at her with extraordinary
interest, thinking how very much young Pen was charmed with her.

"Gad," said the Major, between his teeth, as he surveyed her when she was
called forward as usual, and swept her curtsies to the scanty audience,
"the young rascal has not made a bad choice."

The Doctor applauded her loudly and loyally. "Upon my word," said he,
"She is a very clever actress; and I must say, Major, she is endowed with
very considerable personal attractions."

"So that young officer thinks in the stage-box," Major Pendennis
answered, and he pointed out to Doctor Portman's attention the young
dragoon of the George Coffee-room, who sate in the box in question, and
applauded with immense enthusiasm. She looked extremely sweet upon him
too, thought the Major: but that's their way--and he shut up his natty
opera-glass and pocketed it, as if he wished to see no more that night.
Nor did the Doctor, of course, propose to stay for the after-piece, so
they rose and left the theatre; the Doctor returning to Mrs. Portman, who
was on a visit at the Deanery, and the Major walking home full of thought
towards the George, where he had bespoken a bed.




CHAPTER X

Facing the Enemy