han eighteen hours, and here I am ashamed of the dress which I
have so long worn, and been satisfied with, in your society. Truly did
you say that I was full of pride, and would joyfully re-enter the world
of vanity and vexation." And I thought of Susannah, and her tears after
my supposed departure, and I felt angry and annoyed at my want of
strength of mind and my worldly feelings.

I retired early to bed, and did not wake until late the next morning.
When I rang the bell, the chambermaid brought in my clothes from the
tailor's: I dressed, and I will not deny that I was pleased with the
alteration. After breakfast I ordered a coach, and drove to Number 16,
Throgmorton Court, Minories. The house was dirty outside, and the
windows had not been cleaned apparently for years, and it was with some
difficulty when I went in that I could decypher a tall, haggard-looking
man seated at the desk.

"Your pleasure, sir?" said he.

"Am I speaking to the principal?" replied I.

"Yes, sir, my name is Chatfield."

"I come to you, sir, relative to an advertisement which appeared in the
papers. I refer to this," continued I, putting the newspaper down on
the desk, and pointing to the advertisement.

"Oh, yes, very true: can you give us any information?"

"Yes, sir, I can, and the most satisfactory."

"Then, sir, I am sorry that you have had so much trouble, but you must
call at Lincoln's Inn upon a lawyer of the name of Masterton--the whole
affair is now in his hands."

"Can you, sir, inform me who is the party that is inquiring after this
young man?"

"Why, yes; it is a General De Benyon, who has lately returned from the
East Indies."

"Good God! is it possible?" thought I; "how strange that my own wild
fancy should have settled upon him as my father!"

I hurried away; threw myself into the hackney-coach, and desired the man
to drive to Lincoln's Inn. I hastened up to Mr Masterton's rooms: he
was fortunately at home, although he stood at the table with his hat and
his great coat on, ready to go out.

"My dear sir, have you forgotten me?" said I, in a voice choked with
emotion, taking his hand and squeezing it with rapture.

"By heavens, you are determined that I shall not forget you for some
minutes, at least," exclaimed he, wringing his hand with pain. "Who the
devil are you?"

Mr Masterton could not see without his spectacles, and my subdued voice
he had not recognised. He pulled them out, as I made no reply