"You told me that your first wife
and her brother were guillotined three years ago in the time of
the Terror--and I believed you. Now look at that man--look him
straight in the face. He has announced himself to me as the
brother of your wife, and he asserts that his sister is alive at
this moment. One of you two has deceived me. Which is it?"
Danville tried to speak, but no sound passed his lips; tried to
wrench his arm from the grasp that was on it, but could not stir
the old soldier's steady hand.
"Are you afraid? are you a coward? Can't you look him in the
face?" asked the general, tightening his hold sternly.
"Stop! stop!" interposed one of the old officers, coming forward.
"Give him time. This may be a case of strange accidental
resemblance, which would be enough, under the circumstances, to
discompose any man. You will excuse me, citizen," he continued,
turning to Trudaine; "but you are a stranger. You have given us
no proof of your identity."
"There is the proof," said Trudaine, pointing to Danville's face.
"Yes, yes," pursued the other; "he looks pale and startled
enough, certainly. But I say again, let us not be too hasty;
there are strange cases on record of accidental resemblances, and
this may be one of them!"
As he repeated those words, Danville looked at him with a faint,
cringing gratitude, stealing slowly over the blank terror of his
face.
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