will now take my leave; but I must say, it is with
painful sentiments, as I feel that the result of this interview will be
the cause of great distress to those who are bound to you, not only by
gratitude, but sincere regard."

Harcourt then bowed, and quitted the room. "It's all very well," muttered
I, "but I know the world, and am not to be soothed down by a few fine
words. I trust that they will be sorry for their conduct, but see me
again inside their doors they will not," and I sat down, trying to feel
satisfied with myself--but I was not; I felt that I had acted harshly, to
say no more. I ought to have listened to an explanation sent by Cecilia
and her mother, after her coming down stairs to expostulate. They were
under great obligations to me, and by my quick resentment, I rendered the
obligations more onerous. It was unkind of me--and I wished that Harcourt
had not left the room. As for his conduct, I tried to find fault with it,
but could not. It was gentlemanly and feeling. The fact was, I was in a
very bad humour, and could not, at the time, discover the reason, which
was neither more nor less than that I was more jealous of finding
Harcourt so intimate at Lady de Clare's, than I was at the unpalatable
reception which I had met with. The waiter came in, and brought me a note
from Mr Masterton.

"I have this morning received a summons from your father, who
returned, it appears, two days ago, and is now at the Adelphi
Hotel. I am sorry to say, that stepping out of his carriage when
travelling, he missed his footing, and has snapped his tendon
Achilles. He is laid up on a couch, and, as you may suppose, his
amiability is not increased by the accident, and the pain
attending it. As he has requested me to bring forward immediate
evidence as to your identity, and the presence of Mr Cophagus is
necessary, I propose that we start for Reading to-morrow at nine
o'clock. I have a curiosity to go down there, and having a
leisure day or two, it will be a relaxation. I wish to see my old
acquaintance Timothy, and your shop. Answer by bearer.

J. MASTERTON."

I wrote a few lines, informing Mr Masterton that I would be with him at
the appointed hour, and then sat down to my solitary meal. How different
from when I was last at this hotel! Now I knew nobody. I had to regain my
footing in society, and that could only be accomplished by being
acknowledged by my