nown her two months. She was always kind and considerate, evidently
interested in my welfare, always checking in me anything like levity--
frank and confiding in her opinions--and charitable to all, as I
thought, except to me. But I made no advance that I could perceive.
The fact was, that I dared not speak to her as I might have done to
another who was not so perfect. And yet she smiled, as I thought, more
kindly when I returned than at other times, and never appeared to be
tired of my company. If I did sometimes mention the marriage of
another, or attentions paid which would, in all probability, end in
marriage, it would create no confusion or blushing on her part; she
would talk over that subject as composedly as any other. I was puzzled;
and I had been a year and nine months constantly in her company, and had
never dared to tell her that I loved her. But one day Mr Cophagus
brought up the subject when we were alone. He commenced by stating how
happy he had been as a married man; that he had given up all hopes of a
family, and that he should like to see Susannah Temple, his
sister-in-law, well married, that he might leave his property to her
children; and then he put the very pertinent question--"Japhet--verily--
thou hast done well--good business--money coming in fast--settle,
Japhet--marry--have children--and so on. Susannah--nice girl--good
wife--pop question--all right--sly puss--won't say no--um--what d'ye
say?--and so on." I replied that I was very much attached to Susannah;
but that I was afraid that the attachment was not mutual, and therefore
hesitated to propose. Cophagus then said that he would make his wife
sound his sister, and let me know the result.

This was in the morning just before I was about to walk over to the
shop, and I left the house in a state of anxiety and suspense. When I
arrived at the shop, I found Tim there as usual; but the colour in his
face was heightened as he said to me, "Read this, Japhet," and handed to
me the "Reading Mercury." I read an advertisement as follows:--

"If Japhet Newland, who was left at the Foundling Asylum, and was
afterwards for some time in London, will call at Number 16, Throgmorton
Court, Minories, he will hear of something very much to his advantage,
and will discover that of which he has been so long in search. Should
this reach his eye, he is requested to write immediately to the above
address, with full particulars of his situation. Should