The History of Pendennis

Arthur Pendennis ("Pen" to his friends) is the only child of a prosperous physician and former apothecary now deceased. He and his foster sister Laura are raised in the village of Fairoaks by his indulgent mother, Mrs. Pendennis. The family has risen to gentility in the past generation or two but is not wealthy. At age 18, Pen falls in love with an actress, Emily Fotheringay, who is about ten years his senior. Emily\'s father, Captain Costigan, believes Pen is rich and wants Pen to marry his daughter, but Pen\'s mother is horrified. She summons Major Pendennis from London, and the Major derails the marriage simply by telling Costigan his nephew is not rich. Emily jilts Pen.