And pray say that you are not at home, even to the doctor."

"Well, really the affair looks serious," replied she, "but it shall be
so if you wish it."

We took our tea before I opened the business, for I was thinking how I
should commence: at last I put down my cup, and said, "Mrs. St. Felix, I
must first acquaint you with what is known to no one here but myself." I
then told her the history of old Nanny; then I went on to Spicer's
recognition of the spy-glass--his attempt to murder his mother, the
consequences, and the disclosure on his deathbed.

Mrs. St. Felix was much moved.

"But why tell me all this?" said she, at last; "it proves, certainly,
that my husband was not hanged, which is some consolation, but now I
shall be ever restless until I know what has become of him--perhaps he
still lives."

"Mrs. St. Felix, you ask me why do I tell you all this? I beg you to
reply to my question: having known this so long, why have I not told you
before?"

"I cannot tell."

"Then I will tell you: because I did feel that such knowledge as I had
then would only make you, as you truly say, unhappy and restless. Nor
would I have told you now, had it not been that I have gained further
intelligence on board of a frigate which I this afternoon took into the
Medway."

Mrs. St. Felix gasped for breath. "And what is that?" said she, faintly.

"The spy-glass was recognized by a person on board, who told me that
your husband still lives."

I ran out for a glass of water, for Mrs. St. Felix fell back in her
chair as pale as death.

I gave her the water, and threw some in her face: she recovered, and put
her handkerchief up to her eyes. At first she was silent, then sobbed
bitterly; after a while she sank from the chair down on her knees, and
remained there some time. When she rose and resumed her seat, she took
my hand and said, "You may tell me all now."

As she was quite calm and composed, I did so; I repeated all that had
passed between Sir James O'Connor and me, and ended with his wish that I
should accompany her at once to Chatham.

"And now, Mrs. St. Felix, you had better go to bed. I told Sir James
that I would be down to-morrow morning. I will come here at seven
o'clock, and then we will go to the upper part of the town and hire a
chaise. Will you be ready?"

"Yes," replied she, smiling. "Heaven bless you, Tom! and now
good-night."

I did not go to my mother's, but to an inn in the town, where I asked
for a b