Harcourt then bowed, and quitted the room.  “It’s all very well,” muttered I, “but I know the world, and am not to be soothed down by a few fine words.  I trust that they will be sorry for their conduct, but see me again inside their doors they will not,” and I sat down, trying to feel satisfied with myself—­but I was not; I felt that I had acted harshly, to say no more.  I ought to have listened to an explanation sent by Cecilia and her mother, after her coming down stairs to expostulate.  They were under great obligations to me, and by my quick resentment, I rendered the obligations more onerous.  It was unkind of me—­and I wished that Harcourt had not left the room.  As for his conduct, I tried to find fault with it, but could not.  It was gentlemanly and feeling.  The fact was, I was in a very bad humour, and could not, at the time, discover the reason, which was neither more nor less than that I was more jealous of finding Harcourt so intimate at Lady de Clare’s, than I was at the unpalatable reception which I had met with.  The waiter came in, and brought me a note from Mr Masterton.

“I have this morning received a summons from your father, who returned, it appears, two days ago, and is now at the Adelphi Hotel.  I am sorry to say, that stepping out of his carriage when travelling, he missed his footing, and has snapped his tendon Achilles.  He is laid up on a couch, and, as you may suppose, his amiability is not increased by the accident, and the pain attending it.  As he has requested me to bring forward immediate evidence as to your identity, and the presence of Mr Cophagus is necessary, I propose that we start for Reading to-morrow at nine o’clock.  I have a curiosity to go down there, and having a leisure day or two, it will be a relaxation.  I wish to see my old acquaintance Timothy, and your shop.  Answer by bearer.

     J. MASTERTON.”

I wrote a few lines, informing Mr Masterton that I would be with him at the appointed hour, and then sat down to my solitary meal.  How different from when I was last at this hotel!  Now I knew nobody.  I had to regain my footing in society, and that could only be accomplished by being acknowledged by my father; and, as soon as that was done, I would call upon Lord Windermear, who would quickly effect what I desired.  The next morning I was ready at nine o’clock, and set off with post horses, with Mr Masterton, in his own carriage.  I told him what had occurred the day before, and how disgusted I was at my reception.

“Upon my word, Japhet, I think you are wrong,” replied the old gentleman; “and if you had not told me of your affection for Miss Temple, to see whom, by-the-bye, I confess to be one of the chief motives of my going down with you, I should almost suppose that you were blinded by jealousy.  Does it not occur to you, that, if Mr Harcourt was admitted to the ladies at such an early hour, there is preference shown him in that quarter?  And now I recollect