“It did concern you, for we had not been two minutes in conversation, before you were brought on the tapis; he spoke of you with tears in his eyes—­of what a comfort you had been to him, and how happy you had made him; and that he could not bear you to be away from him for half an hour.  On that hint I spake, and observed, that he must not expect you to continue in retirement long, neither must he blame you, that when he had set up his establishment, you would be as great a favourite as you were before, and be unable, without giving offence, to refuse the numerous invitations which you would receive.  In short, that it was nothing but right you should resume your position in society, and it was his duty to submit to it.  The old governor did not appear to like my observations, and said he expected otherwise from you.  I replied ’that it was impossible to change our natures, and the other sex would naturally have attractions which you would not be able to resist, and that they would occupy a large portion of your time.  The only way to ensure his company, my dear sir, is to marry him to a steady, amiable young woman, who, not having been thrown into the vortex of fashion, will find pleasure in domestic life.  Then her husband will become equally domestic, and you will be all very happy together.’  Your father agreed with me, and appeared very anxious that it should take place.  I then very carefully introduced Miss Temple, saying, that I knew you had a slight partiality in that quarter, highly commending her beauty, prudence, &c.  I stated, that feeling an interest about you, I had gone down into the country where she resided, and had made her acquaintance, and had been much pleased with her; that since she had come up to town with her relations, I had seen a great deal, and had formed so high an opinion of, and so strong an attachment to her, and had felt so convinced that she was the very person who would make you happy and domestic, that having no family myself, I had some idea of adopting her.  At all events, that if she married you, I was determined to give her something very handsome on the day of the wedding.”

“But, my dear sir, why should you not have said that Susannah Temple was left an orphan at seven years old, and her fortune has accumulated ever since? it is by no means despicable, I understand, from Mr Cophagus; and moreover, Mr Cophagus intends to leave her all his property.”

“I am very glad to hear it, Japhet, and will not fail to communicate all this to your father; but there is no reason why I may not do as I please with my own money—­and I love that girl dearly.  By-the-bye, have you ever said anything to her?”

“O yes, sir, we are pledged to each other.”

“That’s all right; I thought so, when I saw your fingers hooked together in the carriage.  But now, Japhet, I should recommend a little indifference—­not exactly opposition, when your father proposes the subject to you.  It will make him more anxious, and when you consent more obliged to you.  I have promised to call upon him to-morrow, on that and other business, and you had better be out of the way.”