"I have no right to be angry with anyone," replied Susannah.
"But you were angry with me, Susannah," interrupted I.
"I cannot say that it was anger, Japhet Newland: I hardly know what the feeling might have been; but I was wrong, and I must request thy forgiveness;" and Susannah held out her hand.
"Now you must forgive me too, Miss Temple," said old Masterton, and Susannah laughed against her wishes.
The conversation then became general. Mr Masterton explained to Mr Cophagus what he required of him, and Mr Cophagus immediately acceded. It was arranged that he should go to town by the mail the next day. Mr Masterton talked a great deal about my father, and gave his character in its true light, as he considered it would be advantageous to me so to do. He then entered into conversation upon a variety of topics, and was certainly very amusing. Susannah laughed very heartily before the evening was over, and Mr Masterton retired to the hotel, for I had resolved to sleep in my own bed.
I walked home with Mr Masterton: I then returned to the house, and found them all in the parlour. Mrs Cophagus was expressing her delight at the amusement she had received, when I entered with a grave face. "I wish that I had not left you," said I to Mrs Cophagus; "I am afraid to meet my father; he will exact the most implicit obedience. What am I to do. Must not I obey him?"
"In all things lawful," replied Susannah, "most certainly, Japhet."
"In all things lawful, Susannah! now tell me, in the very case of my apparel; Mr Masterton says, that he never will permit me to wear the dress. What am I to do?"
"Thou hast thy religion and thy Bible for thy guide, Japhet."
"I have; and in the Bible I find written on tablets of stone by the prophet of God, 'Honour thy father and thy mother;' there is a positive commandment; but I find no commandment to wear this or that dress. What think you?" continued I, appealing to them all.