Japhet in Search of a Father Part 15

"j.a.phet, all nonsense--very good bridge--um--walk over--find father--and so on." I dashed over the bridge, which appeared to float on the water, and to be composed of paper, gained the other side, and was received with shouts of congratulation, and the embraces of the crowd. I perceived an elderly gentleman come forward; I knew it was my father, and I threw myself into his arms. I awoke, and found myself rolling on the floor, embracing the bolster with all my might. Such was the vivid impression of this dream, that I could not turn my thoughts away from it, and at last I considered that it was a divine interposition. All my scruples vanished, and before the day had dawned I determined that I would follow the advice of Timothy. An enthusiast is easily led to believe what he wishes, and he mistakes his own feelings for warnings; the dreams arising from his daily contemplations for the interference of Heaven. He thinks himself armed by supernatural a.s.sistance, and warranted by the Almighty to pursue his course, even if that course should be contrary to the Almighty's precepts. Thus was I led away by my own imaginings, and thus was my _monomania_ increased to an impetus which forced before it all consideration of what was right or wrong.

PART ONE, CHAPTER NINETEEN.

AN IMPORTANT CHAPTER--I MAKE SOME IMPORTANT ACQUAINTANCES, OBTAIN SOME IMPORTANT PAPERS, WHICH I AM IMPORTUNATE TO READ THROUGH.

The next morning I told my dream to Timothy, who laughed very heartily at my idea of the finger of Providence. At last, perceiving that I was angry with him, he pretended to be convinced. When I had finished my breakfast, I sent to inquire the number in the square of Lord Windermear's town house, and wrote the following simple note to his lordship, "_j.a.phet Newland_ has arrived from his tour at the Piazza, Covent Garden." This was confided to Timothy, and I then set off with the other letter to Mr Masterton, which was addressed to Lincoln's Inn.

By reading the addresses of the several legal gentlemen, I found out that Mr Masterton was located on the first floor. I rang the bell, which had the effect of "Open, Sesame," as the door appeared to swing to adroit me without any a.s.sistance. I entered an ante-room, and from thence found myself in the presence of Mr Masterton--a little old man, with spectacles on his nose, sitting at a table covered with papers. He offered me a chair, and I presented the letter.

"I see that I am addressing Mr Neville," said he, after he had perused the letter. "I congratulate you on your return. You may not, perhaps, remember me?"

"Indeed, sir, I cannot say that I do exactly."

"I could not expect it, my dear sir, you have been so long away. You have very much improved in person, I must say; yet still, I recollect your features as a mere boy. Without compliment, I had no idea that you would ever have made so handsome a man." I bowed to the compliment.

"Have you heard from your uncle?"

"I had a few lines from Lord Windermear, enclosing your letter."

"He is well, I hope."

"Quite well, I believe."

Mr Masterton then rose, went to an iron safe, and brought out a packet of papers, which he put into my hands. "You will read these with interest, Mr Neville. I am a party to the whole transaction, and must venture to advise you not to appear in England under your own name, until all is settled. Your uncle, I perceive, has begged the same."

"And I have a.s.sented, sir. I have taken a name instead of my real one."

"May I ask what it is?"

"I call myself Mr j.a.phet Newland."

"Well, it is singular, but perhaps as good as any other. I will take it down, in case I have to write to you. Your address is--"

"Piazza--Covent Garden."

Mr Masterton took my name and address, I took the papers, and then we both took leave of one another, with many expressions of pleasure and good-will.

I returned to the hotel, where I found Timothy waiting for me, with impatience. "j.a.phet," said he, "Lord Windermear has not yet left town.

I have seen him, for I was called back after I left the house, by the footman, who ran after me--he will be here immediately."

"Indeed," replied I. "Pray what sort of person is he, and what did he say to you?"

"He sent for me in the dining-parlour, where he was at breakfast, asked when you arrived, whether you were well, and how long I had been in your service. I replied that I had not been more than two days, and had just put on my liveries. He then desired me to tell Mr Newland that he would call upon him in about two hours. 'Then, my lord,' replied I, 'I had better go and tell him to get out of bed.'

"The lazy dog!" said he, "nearly one o'clock, and not out of bed; well, go then, and get him dressed as fast as you can."

Shortly afterwards a handsome carriage with greys drew up to the door.

His lordship sent in his footman to ask whether Mr Newland was at home.

The reply of the waiter was, that there was a young gentleman who had been there two or three days, who had come from making a tour, and his name did begin with an N. "That will do, James; let down the steps."

His lordship alighted, was ushered up stairs, and into my room. There we stood, staring at each other.

"Lord Windermear, I believe," said I, extending my hand.

"You have recognised me first, John," said he, taking my hand, and looking earnestly in my face. "Good heavens! is it possible that an awkward boy should have grown up into so handsome a fellow? I shall be proud of any nephew. Did you remember me when I entered the room?"

"To tell the truth, my lord, I did not; but expecting you, I took it for granted that it must be you."

"Nine years make a great difference, John;--but I forget, I must now call you j.a.phet. Have you been reading the Bible lately, that you fixed upon that strange name?"

"No, my lord; but this hotel is such a Noah's ark, that it's no wonder I thought of it."

"You're an undutiful dog, not to ask after your mother, sir."

"I was about--"

"I see--I see," interrupted his lordship; "but recollect, John, that she still is _your mother_. By-the-by, have you read the papers yet?"

"No, sir," replied I; "there they are, pointing to them on the side table. I really do not like to break the seals."

"That they will not contain pleasant intelligence, I admit," replied his lordship; "but until you have read them, I do not wish to converse with you on the subject, therefore," said he, taking up the packet, and breaking the seals, "I must now insist that you employ this forenoon in reading them through. You will dine with me at seven, and then we will talk the matter over."

"Certainly, sir, if you wish it, I will read them."

"I must _insist_ upon it, John; and am rather surprised at your objecting, when they concern you so particularly."

"I shall obey your orders, sir."

"Well, then, my boy, I shall wish you good morning, that you may complete your task before you come to dinner. To-morrow, if you wish it--but recollect, I never press young men on these points, as I am aware that they sometimes feel it a restraint--if you wish it, I say, you may bring your portmanteaus, and take up your quarters with me.

By-the-by," continued his lordship, taking hold of my coat, "who made this?"

"The tailor to his Serene Highness the Prince of Darmstadt had that honour, my lord," replied I.

"Humph! I thought they fitted better in Germany; it's not quite the thing--we must consult Stulz, for with that figure and face, the coat ought to be quite correct. Adieu, my dear fellow, till seven."

His lordship shook hands with me, and I was left alone. Timothy came in as soon as his lordship's carriage had driven off.

"Well, sir," said he, "was your uncle glad to see you?"

"Yes," replied I; "and look, he has broken open the seals, and has insisted upon my reading the papers."

"It would be very undutiful in you to refuse, so I had better leave you to your task," said Timothy, smiling, as he quitted the room.

PART ONE, CHAPTER TWENTY.

I OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH MY BANKERS, DRAW LARGELY UPON CREDULITY, AND AM PROSPEROUS WITHOUT A CHECK.

I sat down and took up the papers. I was immediately and strangely interested in all that I read. A secret!--it was, indeed, a secret, involving the honour and reputation of the most distinguished families.