"I hope so too, my lord; I should be ungrateful indeed, if I did not, after my father's kindness to me."
Mr Masterton was then introduced: Lord Windermear shook hands with him, and after a short conversation took his leave.
"Japhet," said Mr Masterton aside, "I have a little business with your father; get out of the room any way you think best."
"There are but two ways, my dear sir," replied I, "the door or the windows: with your permission, I will select the former, as most agreeable;" so saying, I went to my own room. What passed between the general and Mr Masterton I did not know until afterwards, but they were closeted upwards of an hour, when I was sent for by Mr Masterton.
"Japhet, you said you would go with me to hear the new preacher; we have no time to lose: so, general, I shall take my leave and run away with your son."
I followed Mr Masterton into his carriage, and we drove to the lodging of Mr Cophagus. Susannah was all ready, and Mr Masterton went up stairs and brought her down. A blush and a sweet smile illumined her features when she perceived me stowed away in the corner of the chariot. We drove off, and somehow or another our hands again met and did not separate until we arrived at the church door. Susannah had the same dress on as when she had accompanied me in my father's carriage. I went through the responses with her, reading out of the same book, and I never felt more inclined to be devout, for I was happy, and grateful to Heaven for my happiness. When the service was over, we were about to enter the carriage, when who should accost us but Harcourt.
"You are surprised to see me here," said he to Mr Masterton, "but I thought there must be something very attractive, that you should make an appointment with Japhet to go to this church, and as I am very fond of a good sermon, I determined to come and hear it."
Harcourt's ironical look told me all he would say.
"Well," replied Mr Masterton, "I hope you have been edified—now get out of the way, and let us go into the carriage."
"To-morrow at two, De Benyon," said Harcourt, taking another peep at Susannah.