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.
Pen blushed a great deal.

"His name is Captain Costigan, ma'am," he said--"a Peninsular officer." In fact it was the Captain in a new shoot of clothes, as he called them, and with a large pair of white kid gloves, one of which he waved to Pendennis, whilst he laid the other sprawling over his heart and coat-buttons.