his intentions to go over, but
Mr Cophagus and the professor declined, and, anxious as I was to
proceed, I did not wish to be any longer in company with the agent, and,
therefore, also declined going on board. Mr M'Dermott called for a glass
of brandy and water, drank it off in haste, and then, followed by the
porter, with his luggage, went down to embark.

As soon as he was gone, I burst into a fit of laughter. "Well, Mr
Cophagus, acknowledge that it is possible to persuade a man out of his
senses. You knew me, and you were perfectly right in asserting that I
was Japhet, yet did I persuade you at last that you were mistaken. But I
will explain to you why I did so."

"All right," said the apothecary, taking my proffered hand, "thought
so--no mistake--handsome fellow--so you are--Japhet Newland--my
apprentice--and so on."

"Yes, sir," replied I, laughing, "I am Japhet Newland." (I turned round,
hearing a noise, the door had been opened, and Mr M'Dermott had just
stepped in; he had returned for an umbrella, which he had forgotten; he
looked at me, at Mr Cophagus, who still held my hand in his, turned
short round, said nothing, and walked out.) "This is unfortunate,"
observed I, "my reason for not avowing myself, was to deceive that very
person, and now I have made the avowal to his face; however, it cannot
be helped."

I sat down with my old master, and as I knew that I could confide in
him, gave him an outline of my life, and stated my present intentions.

"I see, Japhet, I see--done mischief--sorry for it--can't be help'd--do
all I can--um--what's to be done?--be your friend--always like you--help
all I can--and so on."

"But what would you advise, sir?"

"Advice--bad as physic--nobody takes it--Ireland--wild place--no
law--better go back--leave all to me--find out--and so on."

This advice I certainly could not consent to follow.

We argued the matter over for some time, and then it was agreed that we
should proceed together. I was informed by Mr Cophagus that he had
retired with a very handsome fortune, and was living in the country,
about ten miles from the metropolis; that he had been summoned to attend
the funeral of a maiden aunt in Dublin, who had left him executor and
residuary legatee, but that he knew nothing of her circumstances. He was
still a bachelor, and amused himself in giving advice and medicines
gratis to the poor people of the village in which he resided, there
being no resident practition