."

"Recollect about thy father."

"It is you who detain me, Susannah."

"I must not injure thee with thy father, Japhet, it were no proof of my
affection--but, indeed, you are self-willed."

"God bless you, Susannah," said I, as I gained the contested point, and
hastened to the carriage.

My father was a little out of humour when I returned, and questioned me
rather sharply as to where I had been. I half pacified him by
delivering lord Windermear's polite message; but he continued his
interrogations: and although I had pointed out to him that a De Benyon
would never be guilty of an untruth, I am afraid I told some half dozen,
on this occasion; but I consoled myself with the reflection that, in the
code of honour of a fashionable man, he is bound, if necessary, to tell
falsehoods where a lady is concerned; so I said I had driven through the
streets looking at the houses, and had twice stopped and had gone in to
examine them. My father supposed that I had been looking out for a
house for him, and was satisfied. Fortunately they were job horses; had
they been his own I should have been in a severe scrape. Horses are the
only part of an establishment for which the gentlemen have any
consideration, and on which ladies have no mercy.

I had promised the next day to dine with Mr Masterton. My father had
taken a great aversion to this old gentleman until I had narrated the
events of my life, in which he had played such a conspicuous and
friendly part. Then, to do my father justice, his heart warmed towards
him.

"My dear sir, I have promised to dine out to-day."

"With whom, Japhet?"

"Why, sir, to tell you the truth, with that `old thief of a lawyer.'"

"I am very much shocked at your using such an expression towards one who
has been such a sincere friend, Japhet; and you will oblige me, sir, by
not doing so again in my presence."

"I really beg your pardon, general," replied I, "but I thought to please
you."

"Please me! what do you think of me? please me, sir, by showing yourself
ungrateful!--I am ashamed of you, sir."

"My dear father, I borrowed the expression from you. You called Mr
Masterton `an old thief of a lawyer' to his face: he complained to me of
the language before I had the pleasure of meeting you. I feel, and
always shall feel, the highest respect, love, and gratitude towards him.
Have I your permission to go?"

"Yes, Japhet," replied my father, looking very grave, "and do me the
fav