n your old friend Fitz-Jones, did you? But
what brings you down here, Montmorenci? Have you come down to join?"

This was a most remarkable, and at the same time gratifying occurrence,
for I could not keep feeling elated at being thus mistaken for a noble,
and greeted with such enthusiasm by a most agreeable and intelligent
brother officer, and--evidently--a scion of some noble house to boot.
For a single instant an almost invincible temptation seized me to
personate the character with which I was accredited, but it was as
promptly overcome; my respect for the truth (temporarily) conquered my
vanity, and I answered:

"I assure you, my dear sir, you are mistaken. I am _not_ Lord Henry de
Vere Montmorenci, but plain Richard Hawkesley, just nominated to the
_Daphne_."

"Well, if you persist in saying so, I suppose I must believe you,"
answered Fitz-Jones. "But, really, the resemblance is most
extraordinary--truly remarkable indeed. There is the same lofty
intellectual forehead, the same proud eagle-glance, the same haughty
carriage; the same--now, tell me, Tomnoddy, upon your honour as an
officer and a gentleman, did you ever in your life before see such an
extraordinary resemblance?"

"I never did; it is really most remarkable," answered the other
midshipman in a strangely quivering voice which, but for his solemn
countenance, I should have considered decidedly indicative of suppressed
laughter.

"It really is most singular, positively _marvellous_," resumed Fitz-
Jones. Then he added hurriedly:

"By the way, do you know my friend Tomnoddy? No! Then allow me to
introduce him. Lord Tomnoddy--Mr Richard Hawkesley, just nominated to
the _Daphne_. And I suppose I ought also to introduce myself. I am
Lord Montague Fitz-Jones. You have, of course, heard of the Fitz-Jones
family--the Fitz-J-o-h-n-e-s's, you know?"

I certainly had not; nor had I, up to that moment, any idea that Lord
Tomnoddy was other than a mythical personage; but I did not choose to
parade my ignorance in such matters, so I replied by a polite bow.

There was silence between us for a moment; and then Fitz-Jones--or Fitz-
Johnes, rather--raised his hand to his forehead with a thoughtful air
and murmured:

"Hawkesley! Hawkesley! I'm _positive_ I've heard that name before.
Now, where was it? Um--ah--eh? Yes; I have it. You're the handsome
heartless fellow who played such havoc with my cousin Lady Mary's
affections at the state ball l