Like most soft and sentimental women, matchmaking, in general, formed a great part of her thoughts, and I daresay she had begun to speculate about her son's falling in love and marrying long before the subject had ever entered into the brains of the young gentleman.

It pleased her (with that dismal pleasure which the idea of sacrificing themselves gives to certain women) to think of the day when she would give up all to Pen, and he should bring his wife home, and she would surrender the keys and the best bedroom, and go and sit at the side of the table, and see him happy.

What did she want in life, but to see the lad prosper?
As an empress certainly was not too good for him, and would be honoured by becoming Mrs.Pen; so if he selected humble Esther instead of Queen Vashti, she would be content with his lordship's choice.

Never mind how lowly or poor the person might be who was to enjoy that prodigious honour, Mrs.Pendennis was willing to bow before her and welcome her, and yield her up the first place.

But an actress--a mature woman, who had long ceased blushing except with rouge, as she stood under the eager glances of thousands of eyes--an illiterate and ill-bred person, very likely, who must have lived with light associates, and have heard doubtful conversation--Oh! it was hard that such a one should be chosen, and that the matron should be deposed to give place to such a Sultana.
All these doubts the widow laid before Pen during the two days which had of necessity to elapse ere the uncle came down; but he met them with that happy frankness and ease which a young gentleman exhibits at his time of life, and routed his mother's objections with infinite satisfaction to himself.