I renew old ties of
friendship, and seek new ones of
love—Obliged
to take my father to task once more—He receives
his lesson with proper
obedience.
I took the carriage the next day, and drove to Lord
Windermear’s. He was at home, and I gave
my name to the servant as Mr De Benyon. It was
the first time that I had made use of my own name.
His lordship was alone when I entered. He bowed,
as if not recognising me, and waved his hand to a
chair.
“My lord, I have given my true name, and you
treat me as a perfect stranger. I will mention
my former name, and I trust you will honour me with
a recognition. I was Japhet Newland.”
“My dear Mr Newland, you must accept my apology;
but it is so long since we met, and I did not expect
to see you again.”
“I thought, my lord, that Mr Masterton had informed
you of what had taken place.”
“No; I have just come from a visit to my sisters
in Westmoreland, and have received no letters from
him.”
“I have, my lord, at last succeeded in finding
out the object of my mad search, as you were truly
pleased to call it, in the Honourable General De Benyon,
lately arrived from the East Indies.”
“Where his services are well known,” added
his lordship. “Mr De Benyon, I congratulate
you with all my heart. When you refused my offers
of assistance, and left us all in that mad way, I
certainly despaired of ever seeing you again.
I am glad that you re-appear under such fortunate
auspices. Has your father any family?”
“None, my lord, but myself; and my mother died
in the East Indies.”
“Then I presume, from what I know at the Board
of Control, that you may now safely be introduced
as a young gentleman of large fortune; allow me at
least to assist your father in placing you in your
proper sphere in society. Where is your father?”
“At present, my lord, he is staying at the Adelphi
hotel, confined to his room by an accident, but I
trust that in a few days he will be able to come out.”
“Will you offer my congratulations to him, and
tell him, that if he will allow me, I will have the
honour of paying my respects to him. Will you
dine with me on Monday next?”
I returned my thanks, accepted the invitation, and
took my leave, his lordship saying as he shook hands
with me, “You don’t know how happy this
intelligence has made me. I trust that your father
and I shall be good friends.”
When I returned to the carriage, as my father had
desired me to take an airing, I thought I might as
well have a companion, so I directed them to drive
to Mr Cophagus’s. The servant knocked, and
I went in as soon as the door was opened. Susannah
and Mrs Cophagus were sitting in the room.
“Susannah,” said I, “I know you
do not like to walk out, so I thought, perhaps, you
would have no objection to take an airing in the carriage;
my father has lent it to me. Will you come?—it
will do you good.”
