With the gentleman in
the window talking to Clive he seemed to have some acquaintance, and said
not unkindly, "How d'you do, Dobbin?"
The carriage of Sir Brian Newcome now drove up, from which the Baronet
descended in state, leaning upon the arm of the Apollo in plush and
powder, who closed the shutters of the great coach, and mounted by the
side of the coachman, laced and periwigged. The Bench of Bishops has
given up its wigs; cannot the box, too, be made to resign that insane
decoration? Is it necessary for our comfort, that the men who do our work
in stable or household should be dressed like Merry-Andrews? Enter Sir
Brian Newcome, smiling blandly: he greets his brother affectionately, Sir
Thomas gaily; he nods and smiles to Clive, and graciously permits Mr.
Pendennis to take hold of two fingers of his extended right hand. That
gentleman is charmed, of course, with the condescension. What man could
be otherwise than happy to be allowed a momentary embrace of two such
precious fingers? When a gentleman so favours me, I always ask, mentally,
why he has taken the trouble at all, and regret that I have not had the
presence of mind to poke one finger against his two.
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