anyone who
reads this be able to give any information relative to the said J.N., he
will be liberally rewarded."

I sank down on the chair. "Merciful Heaven! this can be no mistake--`he
will discover the object of his search.' Timothy, my dear Timothy, I
have at last found out my father."

"So I should imagine, my dear Japhet," replied Timothy, "and I trust it
will not prove a disappointment."

"They never would be so cruel, Timothy," replied I.

"But still it is evident that Mr Masterton is concerned in it,"
observed Timothy.

"Why so?" inquired I.

"How otherwise should it appear in the Reading newspaper? He must have
examined the post-mark of my letter."

To explain this, I must remind the reader that Timothy had promised to
write to Mr Masterton when he found me; and he requested my permission
shortly after we had met again. I consented to his keeping his word,
but restricted him to saying any more than "that he had found me, and
that I was well and happy." There was no address in the letter as a
clue to Mr Masterton as to where I might be, and it could only have
been from the post-mark that he could have formed any idea. Timothy's
surmise was therefore very probable; but I would not believe that Mr
Masterton would consent to the insertion of that portion of the
advertisement, if there was no foundation for it.

"What will you do, Japhet?"

"Do," replied I, recovering from my reverie, for the information had
again roused up all my dormant feelings--"Do," replied I, "why, I shall
set off for town this very morning."

"In that dress, Japhet?"

"I suppose I must," replied I, "for I have no time to procure another;"
and all my former ideas of fashion and appearance were roused, and in
full activity--my pride recovered its ascendency.

"Well," replied Timothy, "I hope you will find your father all that you
could wish."

"I'm sure of it, Tim--I'm sure of it," replied I; "you must run and take
a place in the first coach."

"But you are not going without seeing Mr and Mrs Cophagus, and--Miss
Temple," continued Tim, laying an emphasis upon the latter name.

"Of course not," replied I, colouring deeply. "I will go at once. Give
me the newspaper, Tim."

I took the newspaper, and hastened to the house of Mr Cophagus. I
found them all three sitting in the breakfast parlour, Mr Cophagus, as
usual, reading, with his spectacles on his nose, and the ladies at work.

"What is the matter, friend Japhet?