Part 59 (1/2)
”You disagree with me, Susannah,” said I, after a pause; ”I am sorry for it.”
”I cannot say that I do, j.a.phet: I have learnt a lesson this day, and, in future, I must think more humbly of myself, and be more ruled by the opinions and judgment of others.”
Mr and Mrs Cophagus then came in. Cophagus had resumed his medical coat and waistcoat, but not his pantaloons or Hessians: his wife, who had a very good taste in dress, would not allow him. She was in her grey silk gown, but wore a large handsome shawl, which covered all but the skirts: on her head she had a Leghorn bonnet, and certainly looked very pretty. As usual, she was all good humour and smiles. I told them that we had been walking out, and that Susannah had been much annoyed by the staring of the people.
”Always so,” said Cophagus, ”never mind--girls like it--feel pleased-- and so on.”
”You wrong me much, brother Cophagus,” replied Susannah, ”it pained me exceedingly.”
”All very well to say so--know better--sly puss--will wear dress--people say, pretty Quaker--and so on.”
Susannah hastily left the room after this attack, and I told them what had pa.s.sed.
”Mrs Cophagus,” said I, ”order a bonnet and shawl like yours for her, without telling her, and, perhaps, you will persuade her to put them on.”
Mrs Cophagus thought the idea excellent and promised to procure them.
Susannah not making her re-appearance, I took leave, and arrived at the hotel in good time for dinner.
”j.a.phet,” said the general to me as we were at table, ”you have mentioned Lord Windermear very often, have you called upon him lately?”
”No, sir, it is now two years and more since I have seen him. When I was summoned to town to meet you, I was too much agitated to think of anything else, and since that I have had too much pleasure in your company.”
”Say rather, my good boy, that you have nursed me so carefully that you have neglected your friends and your health. Take my carriage to-morrow, and call upon him, and after that, you had better drive about a little, for you have been looking pale these last few days. I hope to get out myself in a short time, and then we will have plenty of amus.e.m.e.nt together in setting up our establishment.”
PART THREE, CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
I RENEW OLD TIES OF FRIENDs.h.i.+P, 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 lords.h.i.+p 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 j.a.phet 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 lords.h.i.+p, ”Mr De Benyon, I congratulate you with all my heart. When you refused my offers of a.s.sistance, 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 a.s.sist 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?”