reat interest. "Japhet," said he,
"you have done well--it is the proudest day of your life. You have
completely mastered him. The royal Bengal tiger is tamed. I wish you
joy, my dear fellow. Now I trust that all will be well. But keep your
own counsel, do not let this be known at Reading. Let them still imagine
that your father is as passionate as ever, which he will be, by-the-bye,
with everybody else. You have still to follow up your success, and leave
me to help you in other matters."

I returned home to the Piazza, and, thankful to Heaven for the events of
the day, I soon fell fast asleep, and dreamt of Susannah Temple. The next
morning I was early at the Adelphi hotel; my father had not yet risen,
but the native servants who passed in and out, attending upon him, and
who took care to give me a wide berth, had informed him that "Burra
Saib's" son was come, and he sent for me. His leg was very painful and
uncomfortable, and the surgeon had not yet made his appearance. I
arranged it as before, and he then dressed, and came out to breakfast.
I had said nothing before the servants, but as soon as he was comfortable
on the sofa I took his hand, and kissed it, saying, "Good morning, my
dear father; I hope you do not repent of your kindness to me yesterday."

"No, no; God bless you, boy. I've been thinking of you all night."

"All's right," thought I; "and I trust to be able to keep it so."

I shall pass over a fortnight, during which I was in constant attendance
upon my father. At times he would fly out in a most violent manner, but I
invariably kept my temper, and when it was all over, would laugh at him,
generally repeating and acting all which he had said and done during his
paroxysm. I found this rather dangerous ground at first, but by degrees
he became used to it, and it was wonderful how it acted as a check upon
him. He would not at first believe but that I exaggerated, when the
picture was held up to his view and he was again calm. My father was not
naturally a bad-tempered man, but having been living among a servile
race, and holding high command in the army, he had gradually acquired a
habit of authority and an impatience of contradiction which was
unbearable to all around. Those who were high-spirited and sensitive
shunned him; the servile and the base continued with him for their own
interests, but trembled at his wrath. I had during this time narrated to
my father the events of my life, and, I am happy to s