The Congo Rovers | Page 5

gentlemen" as
they approached; but they had been talking and laughing loudly when I
first caught sight of them, and although I saw that they were aware of
my presence I failed to detect the sudden change of manner which I had
dreaded to observe. Whether they were speaking of me or not I could
not, of course, feel certain; but I rather fancied from the glances they
cast in my direction that they were.
As they drew nearer I observed that the eyes of one of them were
intently and inquiringly gazing into mine, and they continued so to do
until the pair had fairly passed me. Being by this time in a decidedly
aggressive frame of mind I returned this pertinacious gaze with a
haughty and contemptuous stare, which, however, I must confess, did
not appear to very greatly intimidate the individual at whom it was
levelled, for, unless I was greatly mistaken, there was a twitching about
the corners of his mouth which suggested a strong, indeed an almost
uncontrollable disposition to laughter, whilst his eyes fairly beamed
with merriment.
As they passed me this individual half halted for an instant, passed on
again a step or two, and then turning abruptly to the right-about, dashed
after me and seized me by the hand, which he shook effusively,
exclaiming as he did so:
"It is--I'm sure it is! My dear Lord Henry, how are you? This is indeed
an unexpected pleasure!"
At this moment Miss Smith passed, giving me as she did so a little start
of recognition, followed by a bow and a beaming smile, which I
returned in my most fascinating manner.

I was once more happy. This little incident, trifling though it was in
itself, sufficed to banish in an instant the unpleasant reflections which a
moment before had been rankling in my breast, for had not my fair
divinity seen me in the uniform of the gallant defenders of our country?
And had she not also heard and seen me mistaken for a lord? If this had
no power to soften and subdue that proud heart and bring it in sweet
humility to my feet, then--well I should like to know what would, that's
all.
I allowed my fair enslaver to pass out of ear-shot, and then said to the
midshipman who had so unexpectedly addressed me:
"Excuse me, sir, but I think you are mistaking me for someone else."
"Oh, no, I'm not," he retorted. "I know you well enough--though I must
say you are greatly altered for the better since I saw you last a year ago.
You're Lord Henry de Vere Montmorenci. Ah, you sly dog! you
thought to play a trick upon 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