not only recalls that of his father, but had become familiar to me in the course of frequent telephonic intercourse."
After this, there seemed nothing more to say. I felt, too, somewhat curious to learn a little of myself in the new personality so unaccountably thrust upon me. I signified, accordingly, my readiness to listen without further objection. Utis began, as follows, an account that embodied what was regarded, by all around me, as the real history of my past life.
"Ismar Thiusen, a near connection of mine by marriage, is—as I have before said—the son of a very dear friend. It was through me, indeed, that Eured Thiusen first became acquainted with the Osna Diotha that finally accompanied him to his distant home in Maoria.[1] The Thiusens, as you ought to know, are by no means among the least considered among the families of those islands. They have given names illustrious in every branch of human attainment.
"I see you were about to speak, but checked yourself. Now, I beg you not to hesitate, but speak out, if any thing I say suggests a question. From the peculiar circumstances in which I find myself placed with respect to yon, I shall be extremely liable to allude to matters that will be at least obscure without explanation."
It was in answer to a question I then put, that I received an explanation of the system of family names already mentioned. He concluded this exposition by saying,—
"Diotha is, indeed, a frequent, but by no means the
- ↑ The present New Zealand.
