for town this very morning."

"In that dress, Japhet?"

"I suppose I must," replied I, "for I have no time to procure another;"
and all my former ideas of fashion and appearance were roused, and in
full activity--my pride recovered its ascendency.

"Well," replied Timothy, "I hope you will find your father all that you
could wish."

"I'm sure of it, Tim--I'm sure of it," replied I; "you must run and take
a place in the first coach."

"But you are not going without seeing Mr and Mrs Cophagus, and--Miss
Temple," continued Tim, laying an emphasis upon the latter name.

"Of course not," replied I, colouring deeply. "I will go at once. Give
me the newspaper, Tim."

I took the newspaper, and hastened to the house of Mr Cophagus. I found
them all three sitting in the breakfast parlour, Mr Cophagus, as usual,
reading, with his spectacles on his nose, and the ladies at work. "What
is the matter, friend Japhet?" exclaimed Mr Cophagus, as I burst into
the room, my countenance lighted up with excitement. "Read that, sir!"
said I to Mr Cophagus. Mr Cophagus read it. "Hum--bad news--lose
Japhet--man of fashion--and so on," said Cophagus, pointing out the
paragraph to his wife, as he handed over the paper.

In the meantime I watched the countenance of Susannah--a slight emotion,
but instantly checked, was visible at Mr Cophagus's remark. She then
remained quiet until her sister, who had read the paragraph, handed the
paper to her. "I give thee joy, Japhet, at the prospect of finding out
thy parent," said Mrs Cophagus. "I trust thou wilt find in him one who
is to be esteemed as a man. When departest thou?"

"Immediately," replied I.

"I cannot blame thee--the ties of nature are ever powerful. I trust that
thou wilt write to us, and that we soon shall see thee return."

"Yes, yes," said Cophagus, "see father--shake hands--come back--heh!--
settle here--and so on."

"I shall not be altogether my own master, perhaps," observed I. "If my
father desires that I remain with him, must not I obey? But I know
nothing at present. You shall hear from me. Timothy can take my place
in the--" I could not bear the idea of the word shop, and I stopped.
Susannah, for the first time, looked me earnestly in the face, but she
said nothing. Mr and Mrs Cophagus, who probably had been talking over
the subject of our conversation, and thought this a good opportunity to
allow me to have an _eclaircissement_ with Susannah, left the room,
saying t