But how--when where--why was it kept so long, and how came it into your hands ?' Count O'Halloran told Mr.Reynolds that the packet had been given to him by Captain Reynolds on his deathbed; related the dying acknowledgment which Captain Reynolds had made of his marriage; and gave an account of the delivery of the packet to the ambassador, who had promised to transmit it faithfully.

Lord Colambre told the manner in which it had been mislaid, and at last recovered from among the deceased ambassador's papers.

The father still gazed at the direction, and re-examined the seals.
'My son's handwriting--my son's seals! But where is the certificate of the marriage ?' repeated he; 'if it is withinside of this packet, I have done great IN--but I am convinced it never was a marriage.

'Yet I wish now it could be proved--only, in that case, I have for years done great--' 'Won't you open the packet, sir ?' said Lord Colambre.

Mr.Reynolds looked up at him with a look that said, 'I don't clearly know what interest you have in all this.' But, unable to speak, and his hands trembling so that he could scarcely break the seals, he tore off the cover, laid the papers before him, sat down, and took breath.