"
"Pooh! I give you up. If you had
simply said, 'Yes,' it would have satisfied me."
Dalton seemed perplexed. He called a servant and sent him with an order
for Nalson, the usher, to come instantly to him.
Nalson appeared, with his white gloves and mahogany face.
"Nalson, you were a servant of the Duke in England?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Is the person now in the rooms the Duke of Rosecouleur?"
"I have not seen him, Sir."
"Go immediately, study the man well,--do you hear?--and come to me. Let no
one know your purpose."
Nalson disappeared.
I was alarmed. If "the Duke" should prove to be an impostor, we were
indeed ruined.
In five minutes,--an hour, it seemed,--Nalson stood before us.
"Is it he?" said Dalton, looking fixedly upon the face of the usher.
No reply.
"Speak the truth; you need not be afraid."
"I cannot tell, Sir."
"Nonsense! go and look again."
"It is of no use, Mr. Dalton; you, who are as well acquainted with the
personal appearance of his Highness as I am, you have been deceived,--if I
have."
"Nalson, do you believe that this person is an impostor?" said Dalton,
pointing at myself.
"Who? Mr. De Vere, Sir?"
"If, then, you know at sight that this gentleman is my friend Mr. De Vere,
why do you hesitate about the other?"
"But the imitation is perfect.
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