witness of my servants, but also by that of all my tenants, that my daughter has never quitted her native place?’—
“‘I shall still believe the evidence of my own eyes and ears, which have as great authority over me.’
“‘What you say is really enigmatical,’ answered the count in a graver tone: ‘your serious manner convinces me you have been the dupe of some illusion; and that you have seen some other person, whom you have taken for my daughter. Excuse me, therefore, for having taken up the thing so warmly.’
“‘Another person! What then, I not only mistook another person for your daughter; but the very servant of whom I made mention, and who gave me so exact a description of this castle, was, according to what you say, some other person!’
“‘My dear Marino, that servant was some cheat who knew this castle, and who, God only knows for what motive, spoke to you of my daughter as resembling the lady.’
“‘’Tis certainly no wish of mine to contradict you; but Ida’s features are precisely the same as those which made so deep an impression on me at Paris, and which my imagination has preserved with such scrupulous fidelity.’
“The count shook his head; and Marino continued:—
