"I must not injure thee with thy father, Japhet, it were no proof of my affection—but, indeed, you are self-willed."
"God bless you, Susannah," said I, as I gained the contested point, and hastened to the carriage.
My father was a little out of humour when I returned, and questioned me rather sharply as to where I had been. I half pacified him by delivering Lord Windermear's polite message; but he continued his interrogations, and although I had pointed out to him that a De Benyon would never be guilty of an untruth, I am afraid I told some half dozen on this occasion; but I consoled myself with the reflection, that, in the code of honour of a fashionable man, he is bound, if necessary, to tell falsehoods where a lady is concerned; so I said I had driven through the streets looking at the houses, and had twice stopped and had gone in to examine them. My father supposed that I had been looking out for a house for him, and was satisfied. Fortunately they were job horses; had they been his own I should have been in a severe scrape. Horses are the only part of an establishment for which the gentlemen have any consideration, and on which ladies have no mercy.
I had promised the next day to dine with Mr Masterton. My father had taken a great aversion to this old gentleman until I had narrated the events of my life, in which he had played such a conspicuous and friendly part. Then, to do my father justice, his heart warmed towards him.
"My dear sir, I have promised to dine out to-day."
"With whom, Japhet?"
"Why, sir, to tell you the truth, with that 'old thief of a lawyer.'"
"I am very much shocked at your using such an expression towards one who has been such a sincere friend, Japhet; and you will oblige me, sir, by not doing so again in my presence."
"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."