ot mutual, and therefore
hesitated to propose. Cophagus then said that he would make his wife
sound his sister, and let me know the result.

This was in the morning just before I was about to walk over to the shop,
and I left the house in a state of anxiety and suspense. When I arrived
at the shop, I found Tim there as usual; but the colour in his face was
heightened as he said to me, "Read this, Japhet," and handed to me the
"Reading Mercury." I read an advertisement as follows:--

"If Japhet Newland, who was left at the Foundling Asylum, and was
afterwards for some time in London, will call at No. 16,
Throgmorton Court, Minories, he will hear of something very much
to his advantage, and will discover that of which he has been so
long in search. Should this reach his eye, he is requested to
write immediately to the above address, with full particulars of
his situation. Should anyone who reads this be able to give any
information relative to the said J.N., he will be liberally
rewarded."

I sank down on the chair. "Merciful Heaven! this can be no mistake--'he
will discover the object of his search.' Timothy, my dear Timothy, I
have at last found out my father."

"So I should imagine, my dear Japhet," replied Timothy, "and I trust
it will not prove a disappointment."

"They never would be so cruel, Timothy," replied I.

"But still it is evident that Mr Masterton is concerned in it,"
observed Timothy.

"Why so?" inquired I.

"How otherwise should it appear in the Reading newspaper? He must have
examined the postmark of my letter."

To explain this, I must remind the reader that Timothy had promised to
write to Mr Masterton when he found me; and he requested my permission
shortly after we had met again. I consented to his keeping his word, but
restricted him to saying any more than "that he had found me, and that
I was well and happy." There was no address in the letter as a clue to
Mr Masterton as to where I might be, and it could only have been from
the postmark that he could have formed any idea. Timothy's surmise was
therefore very probable; but I would not believe that Mr Masterton would
consent to the insertion of that portion of the advertisement, if there
was no foundation for it.

"What will you do, Japhet?"

"Do," replied I, recovering from my reverie, for the information had
again roused up all my dormant feelings--"Do," replied I, "why, I shall
set off