"Never mind, Japhet; I don't care about a trifle; but why don't you ask after your friends?"
"I have longed so to do, sir," replied I. "Lord Windermear—"
"Is quite well, and will be most happy to see you."
"Lady de Clare, and her daughter—"
"Lady de Clare has entered into society again, and her daughter, as you call her—your Fleta, alias Cecilia de Clare—is the belle of the metropolis. But now, sir, as I have answered all your interrogatories, and satisfied you upon the most essential points, will you favour me with a narrative of your adventures (for adventures I am sure you must have had) since you ran away from us all in that ungrateful manner."
"Most certainly, sir, I will; and, as you say, I have had adventures. But it really will be a long story."
"Then we'll dine here, and pass the evening together—so that's settled."
Chapter LXXI
In which I am let into more particulars relative to my father's history.