ff their porter's list. You will, moreover, have the satisfaction of
knowing that the friends which you make have not been made under false
colours and appearances, and a still further satisfaction, arising from
a good conscience."

"I am convinced, sir, and I thank you for your advice. I will now be
guided by you in everything."

"Give me your hand, my good lad, I now will be your friend to the utmost
of my power."

"I only wish, sir," replied I, much affected, "that you were also my
father."

"Thank you for the wish, as it implies that you have a good opinion of
me. What do you mean to do?"

"I have promised my friend Mr Harcourt to go down with him to his
father's."

"Well."

"And before I go I will undeceive him."

"You are right; you will then find whether he is a friend to you or to
your supposed ten thousand pounds per annum. I have been reflecting,
and I am not aware that anything else can be done at present than
acknowledging to the world who you really are, which is more likely to
tend to the discovery of your parents than any other means, but at the
same time I shall not be idle. All we lawyers have among us strange
secrets, and among my fraternity, to whom I shall speak openly, I think
it possible that something may be found out which may serve as a clue.
Do not be annoyed at being cut by many, when your history is known;
those who cut you are those whose acquaintance and friendship are not
worth having; it will unmask your flatterers from your friends, and you
will not repent of your having been honest; in the end, it is the best
policy, even in a worldly point of view. Come to me as often as you
please; I am always at home to you, and always your friend."

Such was the result of my dinner with Mr Masterton which I narrated to
Timothy as soon as I returned home. "Well, Japhet, I think you have
found a real friend in Mr Masterton, and I am glad that you have
decided upon following his advice. As for me, I am not under false
colours, I am in my right situation, and wish no more."

In pursuance of my promise to Mr Masterton, I called upon Harcourt the
next morning, and after stating my intention to go down for a day or two
into the country to see a little girl who was under my care, I said to
him, "Harcourt, as long as we were only town acquaintances, mixing in
society, and under no peculiar obligation to each other, I did not think
it worth while to undeceive you on a point in which Major