“O no!” replied I, “the surgeon says that there is no danger.  You will be up in a week—­but now you must keep very quiet.  I will send Mrs Cophagus to you.”

I went out, and finding her composed, I desired her to go to her husband, who wished to see her, and I was left alone with Susannah.  I told her all that had passed, and after two delightful hours had escaped, I returned home to the hotel.  My father had waited up for some time, and finding that I did not return, had retired.  When I met him the next morning I mentioned what the surgeon had said, but stated that, in my opinion, there was great cause for alarm in a man of Mr Cophagus’s advanced age.  My father agreed with me, but could not help pointing out what a good opportunity this would afford for my paying my attentions to Miss Temple, as it was natural that I should be interested about so old a friend as Mr Cophagus.  My filial duty inclined me to reply, that I should certainly avail myself of such a favourable opportunity.

My adventures are now drawing to a close.  I must pass over three months, during which my father had taken and furnished a house in Grosvenor Square; and I, whenever I could spare time, had, under the auspices of Lord Windermear, again been introduced into the world as Mr De Benyon.  I found that the new name was considered highly respectable, my father’s hall tables were loaded with cards, and I even received two dinner invitations from Lady Maelstrom, who told me how her dear nieces had wondered what had become of me, and that they were afraid that Louisa would have fallen into a decline.  And during these three months Cecilia and Susannah had been introduced, and had become as inseparable as most young ladies are, who have a lover a-piece, and no cause for jealousy.  Mr Cophagus had so far recovered as to be able to go down into the country, vowing, much to the chagrin of his wife, that he never would put his foot in London again.  He asked me whether I knew any place where there were no mad bulls, and I took some trouble to find out, but I could not; for even if he went to the North Pole, although there were no bulls, yet there were bull bisons and musk bulls, which were even more savage.  Upon which he declared that this was not a world to live in, and to prove that he was sincere in his opinion, poor fellow, about three months after his retirement into the country, he died from a general decay, arising from the shock produced on his system.  But before these three months had passed, it had been finally arranged that Harcourt and I were to be united on the same day; and having renewed my acquaintance with the good bishop, whom I had taxed with being my father, he united us both to our respective partners.  My father made over to me the sum which he had mentioned.  Mr Masterton gave Susannah ten thousand pounds, and her own fortune amounted to as much more, with the reversion of Mr Cophagus’s property at the decease of his widow.  Timothy came up to the wedding, and I formally put him in the possession of my shop and stock in trade, and he has now a flourishing business.  Although he has not yet found his mother, he has found a very pretty wife, which he says does quite as well, if not better.