m as to his health, but I nevertheless
replied, "Matrimony is a subject upon which I have never thought"--(ahem!
a De Benyon never tells an untruth!), "I am very young yet, and am too
happy to remain with you."

"But, my dear boy, I propose that you shall remain with me--we will all
live together. I do not intend that we shall part. I really wish, Japhet,
you would think seriously of it."

"My dear father, allow me to observe, that at present I am not in a
situation to support a wife, and I should be sorry to be a tax upon you,
at your age; you require many comforts and luxuries, and I presume that
you live up to your income."

"Then, my dear fellow, you are under a great mistake. I can lay down one
hundred thousand pounds on the day of your marriage, with any lady whom I
approve of, and still not spend half my remaining income."

"That, sir," replied I, "certainly removes one difficulty, at the same
time that it proves what a generous and indulgent father I am blessed
with; but, sir, with such a fortune, I have a right to expect that the
lady will also bring a handsome addition. Miss De Clare is engaged, I
believe, to Mr Harcourt, or I might have made strong interest in that
quarter."

"Something, my dear boy; but a moderate fortune now-a-days is all that
we expect with wives, and the best wives are those who are not born to
too much wealth; still she should bring something; but tell me, Japhet,
who is that young lady whom you thought handsomer than Miss De Clare?"

"A Miss Temple, sir."

"Temple--it is a very good name. I think girls brought up in the country
make the best wives."

"They do, sir, most certainly; they are more domestic, and make their
husbands more content and happy at home."

"Well, my dear boy, I have mentioned the subject, and wish you would
think of it. You will please me much."

"My dear father, I shall be most happy to obey in everything else, but
in so serious a point as uniting myself for life, I think you must allow
that a little discretionary power should be given to a son. All I can
say is this, show me a young person who is eligible, and if I find that
I can love her, I will not refuse to obey your wishes."

"Well, sir, do as you please," replied my father, very angrily; "but I
think, sir, when I desire you to fall in love, it is your duty to obey."

"Suppose I was to fall in love with a person you did not like, would you
allow me to marry her?"

"Most certainly not, sir."