"

"It certainly does not improve them," replied the lawyer, impatiently.

"Come, father, my uncle is very busy," said Newton, touching Nicholas on
the arm.

"Well, good-bye, brother John. I had something to say--oh! I hope you
are not displeased at my not coming to see you before?"

"Humph! not in the least, I can assure you, brother Nicholas; so
good-bye. Newton, you'll bring him with you at six," said Mr John
Forster; and he resumed his brief before they had quitted the room.

Newton was much surprised to hear that his uncle had taken a house, and
he surmised whether he had not also been induced to take a wife. He
felt an inclination to put the question to Mr Scratton, as he passed
through the office; but checked the wish, lest it should appear like
prying into his uncle's affairs. Being the month of February, it was
dark long before six o'clock, and Newton was puzzled what to do with his
father until that time. He returned to the Salopian Coffee-house,
opposite to which they had been put down by the Greenwich coach; and
taking possession of a box, called for some biscuits and a pint of
sherry; and requesting his father to stay there until his return, went
out to purchase a sextant, and some other nautical luxuries, which his
pay enabled him to procure without trespassing upon the funds supplied
by the generosity of his uncle. He then returned to his father, who had
finished the vine and biscuits, and had his eyes fixed upon the ceiling
of the room; and calling a hackney coach, drove to the direction which
his uncle had pointed out as his residence.

Mr John Forster had already come home, and they found him in the
dining-room, decanting the wine for dinner, with Amber by his side.
Newton was surprised at the appearance of a little girl; and, as he took
her proffered hand, inquired her name.

"Amber. Papa says it's a very foolish name; don't you, papa?"

"Yes, my dear, I do; but now we are going to dinner, and you must go to
Mrs Smith: so good-night."

Amber kissed the old lawyer, as he stooped to her; and wishing the
company good-night, she left the room.

"Brother John," said Nicholas, "I really had no idea that you were a
married man."

"Humph! I am not a married man, brother."

"Then pray, brother, how is it _possible_ for that little girl to be
your daughter?"

"I did not say she was my daughter: but now we will go upstairs into the
drawing-room, while they put the dinner on the table."