sence."

"I really beg your pardon, general," replied I, "but I thought to
please you."

"Please me! what do you think of me? please me, sir, by showing yourself
ungrateful?--I am ashamed of you, sir."

"My dear father, I borrowed the expression from you. You called Mr
Masterton 'an old thief of a lawyer' to his face: he complained to me
of the language before I had the pleasure of meeting you. I feel, and
always shall feel, the highest respect, love, and gratitude towards him.
Have I your permission to go?"

"Yes, Japhet," replied my father, looking very grave, "and do me the
favour to apologise for me to Mr Masterton for my having used such an
expression in my unfortunate warmth of temper--I am ashamed of myself."

"My dearest father, no man need be ashamed who is so ready to make
honourable reparation:--we are all a little out of temper at times."

"You have been a kind friend to me, Japhet, as well as a good son,"
replied my father, with some emotion. "Don't forget the apology at all
events: I shall be unhappy until it be made."

Chapter LXXVII

Treats of apologies, and love coming from church--We finesse with
the nabob to win me a wife--I am successful in my suit, yet the
lawyer is still to play the cards to enable me to win the game.

I arrived at Mr Masterton's, and walked into his room, when whom should
I find in company with him but Harcourt.

"Japhet, I'm glad to see you: allow me to introduce you to Mr
Harcourt--Mr De Benyon," and the old gentleman grinned maliciously, but
I was not to be taken aback.

"Harcourt," said I, extending my hand, "I have to apologise to you for
a rude reception and for unjust suspicions, but I was vexed at the
time--if you will admit that as an excuse."

"My dear Japhet," replied Harcourt, taking my hand and shaking it warmly,
"I have to apologise to you for much more unworthy behaviour, and it will
be a great relief to my mind if you will once more enrol me in the list
of your friends."

"And now, Mr Masterton," said I, "as apologies appear to be the order of
the day, I bring you one from the general, who has requested me to make
one to you for having called you an old thief of a lawyer, of which he
was totally ignorant until I reminded him of it to-day."

Harcourt burst into a laugh.

"Well, Japhet, you may tell your old tiger, that I did not feel
particularly affronted, as I took his expression professionally and not
personally, and if