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Japhet, In Search Of A Father by Frederick Marryat

F >> Frederick Marryat >> Japhet, In Search Of A Father




"And did you give it?" interrupted I.

"Stop a moment, sir, and you shall hear. I wrote down the address of
that large school at Kensington, which we pass when we go to Mr Aubrey
White's."

"What, that tremendous large board with yellow letters--Mrs Let--what is
it?"

"Mrs Lipscombe's seminary--I always read the board every time I go up
and down. I gave him the address, Miss Johnson, at Mrs Lipscombe's
seminary, Kensington. Well--and here's the ten-pound note, sir, which I
have fairly earned."

"Fairly earned, Tim?"

"Yes, fairly earned; for it's all fair to cheat those who would cheat
you.'

"I cannot altogether agree with you on that point, Tim, but it certainly
is no more than they deserve; but this is matter for reflection. Why
should Melchior wish to find out her address without my
knowledge?--depend upon it, there is something wrong."

"That's what I said to myself coming home; and I made up my mind, that,
for some reason or another, he wishes to regain possession of her."

"I entertain the same idea, Timothy, and I am glad you have
disappointed him. I will take care that they shall not find her out, now
that I am upon my guard."

"But, sir, I wish to draw one good moral from this circumstance; which
is, that if you had been served by any common footman, your interest
would, in all probability, have been sacrificed to the ten-pound note;
and that not only in this instance, but in many others, I did a very
wise thing in taking my present situation."

"I am but too well aware of that, Tim, my dear fellow," said I,
extending my hand, "and depend upon it, that if I rise, you do. You know
me well enough by this time."

"Yes, I do, Japhet, and had rather serve you than the first nobleman in
the land. I'm going to purchase a watch with this ten-pound note, and I
never shall look at it without remembering the advantage of keeping a
watch over my tongue."




Chapter XXXVI

I fall very much in love with honesty because I find that it is
well received in the world--and to prove my honesty, inform the
whole world that honest I have never been.


I proved the will of Major Carbonnell, in which there was no difficulty;
and then I sat down to consider in what way I might best husband my
resources. The house was in good repair, and well furnished. At the time
that I lived with the Major, we had our drawing-room, and his bedroom,
and another room equally large, used as his dressing-room, on the first
floor. The second floor was appropriated to me, and the sitting-room was
used as a dining-room when we dined at home, which was but seldom. The
basement was let as a shop, at one hundred pounds per annum, but we had
a private door for entrance, and the kitchens and attics. I resolved to
retain only the first floor, and let the remainder of the house; and I
very soon got a tenant at sixty pounds per annum. The attics were
appropriated to Timothy and the servants belonging to the lodger.

After having disposed of what was of no service to me, I found that,
deducting the thousand pounds paid into the banker's, for Lord
Windermear, I had a little above three thousand pounds in ready money,
and what to do with this I could not well decide. I applied to Mr
Masterton, stating the exact amount of my finances, on the day that I
dined with him, and he replied, "You have two good tenants, bringing you
in one hundred and sixty pounds per annum--if this money is put out on
mortgage, I can procure you five per cent., which will be one hundred
and fifty pounds per annum. Now, the question is, do you think that you
can live upon three hundred and ten pounds per annum? You have no rent
to pay, and I should think that, as you are not at any great expense for
a servant, you might, with economy, do very well. Recollect, that if
your money is lent on mortgage, you will not be able to obtain it at a
moment's warning. So reflect well before you decide."

I consulted with Timothy, and agreed to lend the money, reserving about
two hundred pounds to go on with, until I should receive my rents and
interest. On the Friday I went to dine with Mr Masterton, and narrated
what had passed between me and Lady Maelstrom. He was very much
diverted, and laughed immoderately. "Upon my faith, Mr Newland, but you
have a singular species of madness; you first attack Lord Windermear,
then a bishop, and, to crown all, you attack a dowager peeress. I must
acknowledge, that if you do not find out your parents, it will not be
for want of inquiry. Altogether, you are a most singular character; your
history is most singular, and your good fortune is equally so. You have
made more friends before you have come to age, than most people do in
their whole lives. You commence the world with nothing, and here you
are, with almost a competence--have paid off a loan of one thousand
pounds, which was not required--and are moving in the best society. Now
the only drawback I perceive in all this is, that you are in society
under false colours, having made people suppose that you are possessed
of a large fortune."

"It was not exactly my assertion, sir."

"No, I grant, not exactly; but you have been a party to it, and I cannot
allow that there is any difference. Now, do you mean to allow this
supposition to remain uncontradicted?"

"I hardly know what to say, sir; if I were to state that I have nothing
but a bare competence, it will be only injurious to the memory of Major
Carbonnell. All the world will suppose that he has ruined me, and that I
had the fortune, whereas, on the contrary, it is to him that I am
indebted for my present favourable position."

"That may be very true, Mr Newland; but if I am to consider you as my
protege, and I may add the protege of Lord Windermear, I must make you
_quite honest_--I will be no party to fraud in any shape. Are you
prepared to resign your borrowed plumes, and appear before the world as
you really are?"

"There is but one inducement, sir, for me to wish that the world may
still deceive themselves. I may be thrown out of society, and lose the
opportunity of discovering my parents."

"And pray, Mr Newland, which do you think is more likely to tend to the
discovery, a general knowledge that you are a foundling in search of
your parents, or your present method, of taxing everybody upon
suspicion. If your parents wish to reclaim you, they will then have
their eyes directed towards you, from your position being known; and I
will add, there are few parents who will not be proud of you as a son.
You will have the patronage of Lord Windermear, which will always secure
you a position in society, and the good wishes of all, although, I
grant, that such worldly people as Lady Maelstrom may strike your name
off their porter's list. You will, moreover, have the satisfaction of
knowing that the friends which you make have not been made under false
colours and appearances, and a still further satisfaction, arising from
a good conscience."

"I am convinced, sir, and I thank you for your advice. I will now be
guided by you in everything."

"Give me your hand, my good lad, I now will be your friend to the utmost
of my power."

"I only wish, sir," replied I, much affected, "that you were also my
father."

"Thank you for the wish, as it implies that you have a good opinion of
me. What do you mean to do?"

"I have promised my friend Mr Harcourt to go down with him to his
father's."

"Well?"

"And before I go I will undeceive him."

"You are right; you will then find whether he is a friend to you or to
your supposed ten thousand pounds per annum. I have been reflecting, and
I am not aware that anything else can be done at present than
acknowledging to the world who you really are, which is more likely to
tend to the discovery of your parents than any other means, but at the
same time I shall not be idle. All we lawyers have among us strange
secrets, and among my fraternity, to whom I shall speak openly, I think
it possible that something may be found out which may serve as a clue.
Do not be annoyed at being cut by many, when your history is known;
those who cut you are those whose acquaintance and friendship are not
worth having; it will unmask your flatterers from your friends, and you
will not repent of your having been honest; in the end, it is the best
policy, even in a worldly point of view. Come to me as often as you
please; I am always at home to you, and always your friend."

Such was the result of my dinner with Mr Masterton, which I narrated to
Timothy as soon as I returned home. "Well, Japhet, I think you have
found a real friend in Mr Masterton, and I am glad that you have decided
upon following his advice. As for me, I am not under false colours, I am
in my right situation, and wish no more."

In pursuance of my promise to Mr Masterton, I called upon Harcourt the
next morning, and after stating my intention to go down for a day or two
into the country to see a little girl who was under my care, I said to
him, "Harcourt, as long as we were only town acquaintances, mixing in
society, and under no peculiar obligation to each other, I did not think
it worth while to undeceive you on a point in which Major Carbonnell was
deceived himself, and has deceived others; but now that you have offered
to introduce me into the bosom of your family, I cannot allow you to
remain in error. It is generally supposed that I am about to enter into
a large property when I come of age; now, so far from that being the
case, I have nothing in the world but a bare competence, and the
friendship of Lord Windermear. In fact, I am a deserted child, ignorant
of my parents, and most anxious to discover them, as I have every reason
to suppose that I am of no mean birth. I tell you this candidly, and
unless you renew the invitation, shall consider that it has not been
given."

Harcourt remained a short time without answering. "You really have
astonished me, Newland; but," continued he, extending his hand, "I
admire--I respect you, and I feel that I shall like you better. With ten
thousand pounds a-year, you were above me--now we are but equals. I, as
a younger brother, have but a bare competence, as well as you; and as
for parents--for the benefit I now derive from them, I might as well
have none. Not but my father is a worthy, fine old gentleman, but the
estates are entailed; he is obliged to keep up his position in society,
and he has a large family to provide for, and he can do no more. You
have indeed an uncommon moral courage to have made this confession. Do
you wish it to be kept a secret?"

"On the contrary, I wish the truth to be known."

"I am glad that you say so, as I have mentioned you as a young man of
large fortune to my father, but I feel convinced, when I tell him this
conversation, he will be much more pleased in taking you by the hand,
than if you were to come down and propose to one of my sisters. I repeat
the invitation with double the pleasure that I gave it at first."

"I thank you, Harcourt," replied I; "some day I will tell you more. I
must not expect, however, that everybody will prove themselves as noble
in ideas as yourself."

"Perhaps not, but never mind that. On Friday next then, we start."

"Agreed." I shook hands and left him.




Chapter XXXVII

I try back to recover the lost scent, and discover to my
astonishment, that I have been transported for forgery.


The behaviour of Harcourt was certainly a good encouragement, and had I
been wavering in my promise to Mr Masterton, would have encouraged me to
proceed. I returned home with a light heart and a pleasing satisfaction,
from the conviction that I had done right. The next morning I set off
for ----, and, as it was a long while since I had seen Fleta, our meeting
was a source of delight on both sides. I found her very much grown and
improved. She was approaching her fifteenth year, as nearly as we could
guess--of course her exact age was a mystery. Her mind was equally
expanded. Her mistress praised her docility and application, and wished
to know whether I intended that she should be taught music and drawing,
for both of which she had shown a decided taste. To this I immediately
consented, and Fleta hung on my shoulder and embraced me for the
indulgence. She was now fast approaching to womanhood, and my feelings
towards her were more intense than ever. I took the chain of coral and
gold beads from her neck, telling her that I must put it into a secure
place, as much depended upon them. She was curious to know why, but I
would not enter into the subject at that time. One caution I gave her,
in case, by any chance, her retreat should be discovered by the
companions of Melchior, which was, that without I myself came, she was,
on no account, to leave the school, even if a letter from me was
produced, requesting her to come, unless that letter was delivered by
Timothy. I gave the same directions to her mistress, paid up her
schooling and expenses, and then left her, promising not to be so long
before I saw her again. On my return to town I deposited the necklace
with Mr Masterton, who locked it up carefully in his iron safe.

On the Friday, as agreed, Harcourt and I, accompanied by Timothy and
Harcourt's servant, started on the outside of the coach, as younger
brothers usually convey themselves, for his father's seat in ----shire,
and arrived there in time for dinner. I was kindly received by old Mr
Harcourt and his family, consisting of his wife and three amiable and
beautiful girls. But on the second day, during which interval I presume
Harcourt had an opportunity of undeceiving his father, I was delighted
to perceive that the old gentleman's warmth of behaviour towards me was
increased. I remained there for a fortnight, and never was so happy. I
was soon on the most intimate terms with the whole family, and was
treated as if I belonged to it. Yet when I went to bed every night, I
became more and more melancholy. I felt what a delight it must be to
have parents, sisters, and friends--the bosom of a family to retire
into, to share with it your pleasures and your pains; and the tears
often ran down my cheeks, and moistened my pillow, when I had, not an
hour before, been the happiest of the happy, and the gayest of the gay.
In a family party, there is nothing so amusing as any little talent out
of the general way, and my performances and tricks on cards, &c., in
which Melchior had made me such an adept, were now brought forward as a
source of innocent gratification. When I quitted, I had a general and
hearty welcome to the house from the parents; and the eyes of the
amiable girls, as well as mine, were not exactly dry, as we bade each
other farewell.

"You told your father, Harcourt, did you not?"

"Yes, and the whole of them, Japhet; and you must acknowledge, that in
their estimation you did not suffer. My father is pleased with our
intimacy, and advises me to cultivate it. To prove to you that I am
anxious so to do, I have a proposal to make. I know your house as well
as you do, and that you have reserved only the first floor for yourself;
but there are two good rooms on the first floor, and you can dispense
with a dressing-room. Suppose we club together. It will be a saving to
us both, as poor Carbonnell said, when he took you in."

"With all my heart: I am delighted with the proposal."

Harcourt then stated what it was his intention to offer for his share of
the apartment; the other expenses to be divided, and his servant
dismissed. I hardly need say, that we did not disagree, and before I had
been a week in town, we were living together. My interview with Mr
Masterton, and subsequent events, had made me forget to call on the
governors of the Foundling Hospital, to ascertain whether there had been
any inquiries after me. On my return to town I went there, and finding
that there was a meeting to be held on the next day, I presented myself.
I was introduced into the room where they were assembled.

"You wish to speak with the governors of the Hospital, I understand,"
said the presiding governor.

"Yes, sir," replied I; "I have come to ask whether an inquiry has been
made after one of the inmates of this charity, of the name of Japhet
Newland."

"Japhet Newland!"

"If you recollect, sir, he was bound to an apothecary of the name of
Cophagus, in consequence of some money which was left with him as an
infant, enclosed in a letter, in which it was said that he would be
reclaimed if circumstances permitted."

"I recollect it perfectly well--it is now about six years back. I think
there was some inquiry, was there not, Mr G----?"

"I think that there was, about a year and a half ago; but we will send
for the secretary, and refer to the minutes."

My heart beat quick, and the perspiration bedewed my forehead, when I
heard this intelligence. At last, my emotion was so great, that I felt
faint. "You are ill, sir," said one of the gentlemen; "quick--a glass of
water."

The attendant brought a glass of water, which I drank, and recovered
myself. "You appear to be much interested in this young man's welfare."

"I am, sir," replied I; "no one can be more so."

The secretary now made his appearance with the register, and after
turning over the leaves, read as follows: "August the 16th--, a
gentleman came to inquire after an infant left here, of the name of
Japhet, with whom money had been deposited--Japhet, christened by order
of the governors, Japhet Newland--referred to the shop of Mr Cophagus,
Smithfield Market. He returned the next day, saying that Mr Cophagus had
retired from business--that the parties in the shop knew nothing for
certain, but believed that the said Japhet Newland had been transported
for life for forgery, about a year before."

"Good heavens! what an infamous assertion!" exclaimed I, clasping my
hands.

"On reference back to the calendar, we observed that one J. Newland was
transported for such an offence. Query?"

"It must have been some other person; but this has arisen from the
vindictive feeling of those two scoundrels who served under Pleggit,"
cried I.

"How can you possibly tell, sir?" mildly observed one of the governors.

"How can I tell, sir?" replied I, starting from my chair. "Why, I am
_Japhet Newland_ myself, sir."

"You, sir," replied the governor, surveying my fashionable exterior, my
chains, and bijouterie.

"Yes, sir, I am the Japhet Newland brought up in this asylum, and who
was apprenticed to Mr Cophagus."

"Probably, then, sir," replied the president, "you are the Mr Newland
whose name appears at all the fashionable parties in high life?"

"I believe that I am the same person, sir."

"I wish you joy upon your success in the world, sir. It would not appear
that it can be very important to you to discover your parents."

"Sir," replied I, "you have never known what it is to feel the want of
parents and friends. Fortunate as you may consider me to be--and I
acknowledge I have every reason to be grateful for my unexpected rise in
life--I would, at this moment, give up all that I am worth, resume my
Foundling dress, and be turned out a beggar, if I could but discover the
authors of my existence."--I then bowed low to the governors, and
quitted the room.




Chapter XXXVIII

Mischief brewing--Timothy and I set our wits to work, and he
resumes his old profession of a gipsy.


I hastened home with feelings too painful to be described. I had a
soreness at my heart, an oppression on my spirits, which weighed me
down. I had but one wish--that I was dead. I had already imparted to
Harcourt the history of my life, and when I came in, I threw myself upon
the sofa in despair, and relieved my agonised heart with a flood of
tears. As soon as I could compose myself, I stated what had occurred.

"My dear Newland, although it has been an unfortunate occurrence in
itself, I do not see that you have so much cause to grieve, for you have
this satisfaction, that it appears there has been a wish to reclaim
you."

"Yes," replied I, "I grant that, but have they not been told, and have
they not believed, that I have been ignominiously punished for a capital
crime? Will they ever seek me more?"

"Probably not; you must now seek them. What I should recommend is, that
you repair to-morrow to the apothecary's shop, and interrogate relative
to the person who called to make inquiries after you. If you will allow
me, I will go with you."

"And be insulted by those malignant scoundrels?"

"They dare not insult you. As an apothecary's apprentice they would, but
as a gentleman they will quail; and if they do not, their master will
most certainly be civil, and give you all the information which he can.
We may as well, however, not do things by halves; I will borrow my
aunt's carriage for the morning, and we will go in style."

"I think I will call this evening upon Mr Masterton, and ask his
advice."

"Ask him to accompany us, Newland, and he will frighten them with libel,
and defamation of character."

I called upon Mr Masterton, that evening, and told my story. "It is
indeed very provoking, Newland; but keep your courage up, I will go with
you to-morrow, and will see what we can make of it. At what time do you
propose to start?"

"Will it suit you, sir, if we call at one o'clock?"

"Yes; so good-night, my boy, for I have something here which I must
contrive to get through before that time."

Harcourt had procured the carriage, and we picked up Mr Masterton at the
hour agreed, and proceeded to Smithfield. When we drove up to the door
of Mr Pleggit's shop, the assistants at first imagined that it was a
mistake; few handsome carriages are to be seen stopping in this quarter
of the metropolis. We descended and entered the shop, Mr Masterton
inquiring if Mr Pleggit was at home. The shopmen, who had not recognised
me, bowed to the ground in their awkward way; and one ran to call Mr
Pleggit, who was up stairs. Mr Pleggit descended, and we walked into the
back parlour. Mr Masterton then told him the object of our calling, and
requested to know why the gentleman, who had inquired after me, had been
sent away with the infamous fabrication that I had been transported for
forgery. Mr Pleggit protested innocence--recollected, however, that a
person had called--would make every inquiry of his shopmen. The head man
was called in and interrogated--at first he appeared to make a joke of
it, but when threatened by Mr Masterton became humble--acknowledged that
they had said that I was transported, for they had read it in the
newspapers--was sorry for the mistake; said that the gentleman was a
very tall person, very well dressed, very much of a gentleman--could not
recollect his exact dress--was a large built man, with a stern face--but
seemed very much agitated when he heard that I had been transported.
Called twice, Mr Pleggit was not in at first--left his name--thinks the
name was put down on the day book--when he called a second time, Mr
Pleggit was at home, and referred him to them, not knowing what had
become of me. The other shopman was examined, and his evidence proved
similar to that of the first. The day-book was sent for, and the day in
August ---- referred to; there was a name written down on the side of the
page, which the shopman said he had no doubt, indeed he could almost
swear, was the gentleman's name, as there was no other name put down on
that day. The name, as taken down, was _Derbennon_. This was all the
information we could obtain, and we then quitted the shop, and drove off
without there being any recognition of me on the part of Mr Pleggit and
his assistants.

"I never heard that name before," observed Harcourt to Mr Masterton.

"It is, in all probability, De Benyon," replied the lawyer; "we must
make allowances for their ignorance. At all events, this is a sort of
clue to follow up. The De Benyons are Irish."

"Then I will set off for Ireland to-morrow morning, sir," said I.

"You will do no such thing," replied the lawyer; "but you will call upon
me to-morrow evening, and perhaps I may have something to say to you."

I did not fail to attend Mr Masterton, who stated that he had made every
inquiry relative to the De Benyons; as he had said, they were an Irish
family of the highest rank, and holding the peerage of De Beauvoir, but
that he had written to his agent in Dublin, giving him directions to
obtain for him every possible information in his power relative to all
the individuals composing it. Till this had been received, all that I
could do was to remain quiet. I then narrated to him the behaviour of
the agent, Mr Iving, to Timothy. "There is some mystery there, most
assuredly," observed Mr Masterton; "When do you go again to ----?"

I replied, that it was not my intention to go there for some time,
unless he would wish to see the little girl.

"I do, Newland. I think I must take her under my protection as well as
you. We will go down to-morrow. Sunday is the only day I can spare; but
it must be put down as a work of charity."

The next day we went down to ----. Fleta was surprised to see me so soon,
and Mr Masterton was much struck with the elegance and classical
features of my little protegee. He asked her many questions, and with
his legal tact, contrived to draw from her many little points relative
to her infant days, which she had, till he put his probing questions,
quite forgotten. As we returned to town, he observed, "You are right,
Japhet, that is no child of humble origin. Her very appearance
contradicts it; but we have, I think, a chance of discovering who she
is--a better one, I'm afraid, than at present we have for your
identification. But never mind, let us trust to perseverance."

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