know more about this person than you appear
willing to divulge? There is something in your manner which tells me
so."

"That I know more than I have divulged is true, Sir James; but that I
know more than I am willing to divulge is not the case, provided I find
that the party who asks the question is sufficiently interested to
warrant my so doing."

"There can be no one more interested than I am," replied Sir James,
mournfully. "You tell me she is Irish--you describe a person such as I
expected would be described, and my curiosity is naturally excited. May
I ask what is her name?"

"The name that she goes by at present is St. Felix."

[Illustration: "MR. SAUNDERS.... MAY I ASK WHERE YOU PROCURED THIS
SPYGLASS?"--Marryat, Vol. X., p. 457.]

"She had distant relations of that name; it may be one of them--yet
how could they have obtained--? Yes, they might, sure enough!"

"That is not her real name, Sir James."

"Not her real name! Do you then know what is her real name?"

"I believe I do, but I obtained it without her knowledge, from another
party, who is since dead."

"Ah! may I ask that name?"

"A man who died in the hospital, who went by the name of Spicer, but
whose real name was Walter James; he saw the glass in my hand,
recognized it, and on his deathbed revealed all connected with it; but
he never knew that the party was still alive when he did so."

"If Walter James confessed all to you on his deathbed, Mr. Saunders, it
is certain that you can answer me one question. Was not her real name
Fitzgerald?"

"It was, Sir James, as I have understood."

Sir James O'Connor fell back in his chair and was silent for some time.
He then poured out a tumbler of wine, and drank it off.

"Mr. Saunders, do others know of this as well as you?"

"I have never told any one, except to one old and dearest friend, in
case of accident to myself. Mrs. St. Felix is ignorant of my knowledge,
as well as others."

"Mr. Saunders, that I am most deeply interested in that person I pledge
you my honor as an officer and a gentleman. Will you now do me the favor
to detail all you do know on this subject, and what were the confessions
made you by that man Walter James?"

"I have already, sir, told you more than I intended. I will be candid
with you; so much do I respect and value the person in question that I
will do nothing without I have your assurance that it will not tend to
her unhappiness."

"Then, on my honor, if it tur