these, which were
also white, from the circle which they formed round his face, and
contrasting with the colour of his skin, gave his _tout ensemble_ much
more the appearance of a royal Bengal tiger than a gentleman. General
De Benyon saw Mr Masterton leading me forward to within a pace or two of
the table before the general.--"Allow me the pleasure of introducing
your son, Japhet."

There was no hand extended to welcome me. My father fixed his proud grey
eyes upon me for a moment, and then turned to the governors of the
hospital.

"Is this the person, gentlemen, whom you received as an infant and
brought up as Japhet Newland?"

The governors declared I was the same person; that they had bound me to
Mr Cophagus, and had seen me more than once since I quitted the Asylum.

"Is this the Japhet Newland whom you received from these gentlemen and
brought up to your business?"

"Yea, and verily--I do affirm the same--smart lad--good boy, and so on."

"I will not take a Quaker's affirmation--will you take your oath, sir?"

"Yes," replied Cophagus, forgetting his Quakership; "take oath--bring
Bible--kiss book, and so on."

"You then, as a Quaker, have no objection to swear to the identity of
this person?"

"Swear," cried Cophagus, "yes, swear--swear now--not Japhet!--I'm
damned--go to hell, and so on."

The other parties present could not help laughing at this explosion from
Cophagus, neither could I. Mr Masterton then asked the general if he
required any more proofs.

"No," replied the general discourteously; and speaking in Hindostanee
to his attendants, they walked to the door and opened it. The hint was
taken, Mr Masterton saying to the others in an ironical tone, "After so
long a separation, gentlemen, it must be natural that the general should
wish to be left alone, that he may give vent to his paternal feelings."

Chapter LXXIV

Father and I grow warm in our argument--Obliged to give him a
little schooling to show my affection--Takes it at last very
kindly, and very dutifully owns himself a fool.

In the meantime, I was left standing in the middle of the room; the
gentlemen departed, and the two native servants resumed their stations
on each side of the sofa. I felt humiliated and indignant, but waited in
silence; at last, my honoured parent, who had eyed me for some time,
commenced.

"If you think, young man, to win my favour by your good looks, you are
very much mistaken: you