“What do you think of Mrs Cophagus, sir?”

“I think she is no more a Quaker in her heart than I am.  She is a lively, merry, kind-hearted creature, and would have no objection to appear in feathers and diamonds to-morrow.”

“Well, sir, I can tell you that Mr Cophagus still sighs after his blue cotton-net pantaloons and Hessian boots.”

“More fool he! but, however, I am glad of it, for it gives me an idea which I shall work upon by-and-bye; at present we have this eventful meeting between you and your father to occupy us.”

We arrived in town in time for dinner, which Mr Masterton had ordered at his chambers.  As the old gentleman was rather tired with his two days’ travelling, I wished him good-night at an early hour.

“Recollect, Japhet, we are to be at the Adelphi hotel to-morrow at one o’clock—­come in time.”

I called upon Mr Masterton at the time appointed on the ensuing day, and we drove to the hotel in which my father had located himself.  On our arrival, we were ushered into a room on the ground floor, where we found Mr Cophagus and two of the governors of the Foundling Hospital.

“Really, Mr Masterton,” said one of the latter gentlemen, “one would think that we were about to have an audience with a sovereign prince, and, instead of conferring favours, were about to receive them.  My time is precious; I ought to have been in the city this half hour, and here is this old nabob keeping us waiting as if we were petitioners.”

Mr Masterton laughed and said, “Let us all go up stairs, and not wait to be sent for.”

He called one of the waiters, and desired him to announce them to General De Benyon.  They then followed the waiter, leaving me alone.  I must say, that I was a little agitated; I heard the door open above, and then an angry growl like that of a wild beast; the door closed again, and all was quiet.  “And this,” thought I, “is the result of all my fond anticipations, of my ardent wishes, of my enthusiastic search.  Instead of expressing anxiety to receive his son, he litigiously requires proofs, and more proofs, when he has received every satisfactory proof, already.  They say his temper is violent beyond control, and that submission irritates instead of appeasing him; what then if I resent?  I have heard that people of that description are to be better met with their own weapons;—­suppose I try it;—­but no, I have no right;—­I will however be firm and keep my temper under every circumstance; I will show him, at least, that his son has the spirit and the feelings of a gentleman.”