screamed, and twisted, and repeated lines over and over again, and with
what indomitable patience and dulness she followed him! She knew that he
made her: and let herself be made. She was not grateful, or ungrateful,
or unkind, or ill-humoured. She was only stupid; and Pen was madly in
love with her.

The post-horses from the Clavering Arms arrived in due time, and carried
the party to the theatre at Chatteris, where Pen was gratified in
perceiving that a tolerably large audience was assembled. The young
gentlemen from Baymouth had a box, in the front of which sate Mr. Foker
and his friend Mr. Spavin, splendidly attired in the most full-blown
evening costume. They saluted Pen in a cordial manner, and examined his
party, of which they approved, for little Laura was a pretty little
red-cheeked girl with a quantity of shining brown ringlets, and Mrs.
Pendennis, dressed in black velvet with the diamond cross which she
sported on great occasions, looked uncommonly handsome and majestic.
Behind these sate Mr. Arthur, and the gentle Smirke with the curl
reposing on his fair forehead, and his white tie in perfect order. He
blushed to find himself in such a place--but how happy was he to be
there! He and Mrs. Pendennis brought books of 'Hamlet' with them to
follow the tragedy, as is the custom of honest countryfolks who go to a
play in state. Samuel, coachman, groom, and gardener to Mr. Pendennis,
took his place in the pit, where Mr. Foker's man was also visible. It was
dotted with non-commissioned officers of the Dragoons, whose band, by
kind permission of Colonel Swallowtail, were, as usual, in the orchestra;
and that corpulent and distinguished warrior himself, with his Waterloo
medal and a number of his young men, made a handsome show in the boxes.

"Who is that odd-looking person bowing to you, Arthur?" Mrs. Pendennis
asked of her son.