the happiest of the happy, and the gayest of the gay.
In a family party, there is nothing so amusing as any little talent out
of the general way, and my performances and tricks on cards, &c., in
which Melchior had made me such an adept, were now brought forward as a
source of innocent gratification. When I quitted, I had a general and
hearty welcome to the house from the parents; and the eyes of the
amiable girls, as well as mine, were not exactly dry, as we bade each
other farewell.

"You told your father, Harcourt, did you not?"

"Yes, and the whole of them, Japhet; and you must acknowledge, that in
their estimation you did not suffer. My father is pleased with our
intimacy, and advises me to cultivate it. To prove to you that I am
anxious so to do, I have a proposal to make. I know your house as well
as you do, and that you have reserved only the first floor for yourself;
but there are two good rooms on the first floor, and you can dispense
with a dressing-room. Suppose we club together. It will be a saving to
us both, as poor Carbonnell said, when he took you in."

"With all my heart: I am delighted with the proposal."

Harcourt then stated what it was his intention to offer for his share of
the apartment; the other expenses to be divided, and his servant
dismissed. I hardly need say, that we did not disagree, and before I had
been a week in town, we were living together. My interview with Mr
Masterton, and subsequent events, had made me forget to call on the
governors of the Foundling Hospital, to ascertain whether there had been
any inquiries after me. On my return to town I went there, and finding
that there was a meeting to be held on the next day, I presented myself.
I was introduced into the room where they were assembled.

"You wish to speak with the governors of the Hospital, I understand,"
said the presiding governor.

"Yes, sir," replied I; "I have come to ask whether an inquiry has been
made after one of the inmates of this charity, of the name of Japhet
Newland."

"Japhet Newland!"

"If you recollect, sir, he was bound to an apothecary of the name of
Cophagus, in consequence of some money which was left with him as an
infant, enclosed in a letter, in which it was said that he would be
reclaimed if circumstances permitted."

"I recollect it perfectly well--it is now about six years back. I think
there was some inquiry, was there not, Mr G----?"

"I think that there was, about a year and a half