It was he who had set Pen upon the idea of sitting in Parliament for the neighbouring borough--and the poor lad had evidently been bragging on the subject to Costigan and the lady of his affections.

"Fairoaks Park, my dear sir," he said.

"Do you know our history?
We are of excessively ancient family certainly, but I began life with scarce enough money to purchase my commission, and my eldest brother was a country apothecary: who made every shilling he died possessed of out of his pestle and mortar." "I have consented to waive that objection, sir," said Costigan majestically, "in consideration of the known respectability of your family." "Curse your impudence," thought the Major; but he only smiled and bowed.
"The Costigans, too, have met with misfortunes; and our house of Castle Costigan is by no manes what it was.

I have known very honest men apothecaries, sir, and there's some in Dublin that has had the honour of dining at the Lord Leftenant's teeble." "You are very kind to give us the benefit of your charity," the Major continued: "but permit me to say that is not the question.

You spoke just now of my little nephew as heir of Fairoaks Park and I don't know what besides." "Funded property, I've no doubt, Meejor, and something handsome eventually from yourself." "My good sir, I tell you the boy is the son of a country apothecary," cried out Major Pendennis; "and that when he comes of age he won't have a shilling." "Pooh, Major, you're laughing at me," said Mr.Costigan, "me young friend, I make no doubt, is heir to two thousand pounds a year." "Two thousand fiddlesticks! I beg your pardon, my dear sir; but has the boy been humbugging you ?--it is not his habit.