an only be availing when made by those who left thee.
When they wish for you they will seek thee, but thy seeking them is vain
and fruitless."

"But," replied I, "recollect that inquiries have already been made at
the Foundling, and those who inquired have been sent away disappointed--
they will inquire no more."

"And is a parent's love so trifling, that one disappointment will drive
him from seeking of his child? No, no, Japhet; if thou art yearned for,
thou wilt be found, and fresh inquiries will be made; but thy search is
unavailing, and already hast thou lost much time."

"True, Susannah, thy advise is good," replied Mrs Cophagus; "in
following a shadow Japhet hath much neglected the substance; it is time
that thou shouldst settle thyself, and earn thy livelihood."

"And do thy duty in that path of life to which it hath pleased God to
call thee," continued Susannah, who with Mrs Cophagus walked out of the
room.

Cophagus then took up the conversation, and pointing out the uselessness
of my roving about, and the propriety of my settling in life, proposed
that I should take an apothecary's shop, for which he would furnish the
means, and that he could insure me the custom, of the whole Society of
Friends in Reading, which was very large, as there was not one of the
sect in that line of business. "Become one of us, Japhet--good
business--marry by-and-by--happy life--little children--and so on." I
thought of Susannah, and was silent. Cophagus then said, I had better
reflect upon his offer, and make up my determination. If that did not
suit me, he would still give me all the assistance in his power.

I did reflect long before I could make up my mind. I was still worldly
inclined; still my fancy would revel in the idea of finding out my
father in high life, and, as once more appearing as a star of fashion,
of returning with interest the contumely I had lately received, and
re-assuming as a right that position in society which I had held under
false colours.

I could not bear the idea of sinking at once into a tradesman, and
probably ending my days in obscurity. Pride was still my ruling
passion. Such were my first impulses, and then I looked upon the other
side of the picture. I was without the means necessary to support
myself; I could not return to high life without I discovered my parents
in the first place, and in the second, found them to be such as my warm
imagination had depicted. I had no chance