"No; I have just come from a visit to my sisters in Westmoreland, and
have received no letters from him."

"I have, my lord, at last succeeded in finding out the object of my mad
search, as you were truly pleased to call it, in the Honourable General
De Benyon, lately arrived from the East Indies."

"Where his services are well known," added his lordship. "Mr De Benyon,
I congratulate you with all my heart. When you refused my offers of
assistance, and left us all in that mad way, I certainly despaired of
ever seeing you again. I am glad that you re-appear under such fortunate
auspices. Has your father any family?"

"None, my lord, but myself; and my mother died in the East Indies."

"Then I presume, from what I know at the Board of Control, that you
may _now_ safely be introduced as a young gentleman of large fortune;
allow me at least to assist your father in placing you in your proper
sphere in society. Where is your father?"

"At present, my lord, he is staying at the Adelphi hotel, confined to
his room by an accident, but I trust that in a few days he will be able
to come out."

"Will you offer my congratulations to him, and tell him, that if he will
allow me, I will have the honour of paying my respects to him. Will you
dine with me on Monday next?"

I returned my thanks, accepted the invitation, and took my leave, his
lordship saying as he shook hands with me, "You don't know how happy
this intelligence has made me. I trust that your father and I shall be
good friends."

When I returned to the carriage, as my father had desired me to take an
airing, I thought I might as well have a companion, so I directed them
to drive to Mr Cophagus's. The servant knocked, and I went in as soon
as the door was opened. Susannah and Mrs Cophagus were sitting in the
room.

"Susannah," said I, "I know you do not like to walk out, so I thought,
perhaps, you would have no objection to take an airing in the carriage;
my father has lent it to me. Will you come?--it will do you good."

"It is very kind of you, Japhet, to think of me; but--"

"But what?" replied Mrs Cophagus. "Surely thou wilt not refuse, Susannah.
It would savour much of ingratitude on thy part."

"I will not then be ungrateful," replied Susannah, leaving the room;
and in a short time she returned in a Leghorn bonnet and shawl like her
sister's. "Do not I prove that I am not ungrateful, Japhet, since to do
credit to thy carriage, I am content to depart