“He heard all the details of the adoption, rearing and education of the young Zuniga by the mate, Zebedee Wyvil, and of the life of the youth at home, at college, and at sea, up to the time of his return from his voyage with Captain Pentecost.
“But he learned nothing of the runaway marriage, the trial for murder, the transportation to the penal colonies, the escape thence, the theatrical career and so on.
“In short, the marquis learned all of his young relative that it was expedient that he should know, and nothing more.
“And when he was satisfied that his nephew wanted nothing whatever from him, either of money, influence or preferment, or any other favor, and when he was pleased to see that the young man was fairly presentable in society, he graciously acknowledged him, entertained him, and presented him to his friends.
“You know the rest.
“But this must be acknowledged—that never, in his whole successful career as an actor, did the ‘world-renowned artist, Mr. Alfred Ancillon,’ undertake so difficult a part, or achieve so splendid a triumph, as when he caused himself to be introduced to his own daughter as the Señor Zuniga, and thoroughly deceived her in regard to his identity! For although, at first, she was startled out of her self-possession by what she considered a most amazing likeness, yet still in the end she was completely deluded.
“And now one word as to the fine art of successful disguise. It does not consist in coarse contrivances, like staining the complexion of a different hue or wearing a wig of different colored hair, or anything of that sort, which does not alter the form of the features, or the character of the countenance. It consists in very refined touches, invisible to the naked eye, and yet capable of changing the whole individuality of the face, so that, though it may leave a likeness, it will seem only a likeness. These superfine, magical touches are delicate strokes with a camel’s hair pencil at the corners of the eyebrows, the corners of the eyelids, corners of the nostrils and of the mouth, changing the angles up or down as may be required, and so changing the very shape of the features so delicately that the art cannot be detected. Then, with a slight modification in the glance of the eye, the tone of the voice, and the gesture of the hand, the transformation is complete.
“In this artistic manner Zuniga deluded everybody as to his identity, so that if any one had ventured to raise the question whether or not he was the man known to the play-going public as Mr. Alfred Ancillon, his intimate friends must have scouted the idea, and while admitting the likeness, denied the identity, because, and so forth, and so forth.
“You know the rest of the adventurer’s story quite as well as he does; so little more need to be added, except that he has bitterly repented all the sorrow his recklessness brought upon his daughter, and even upon her husband. It is not certain that his recovery of his proper name, Zuniga, will lead to any lasting benefit to himself or any one connected with him. As the only son and heir of Don Luis Zuniga, he would be entitled to large landed estates and much funded wealth, all held in abeyance. But courts of law would require more proof of his identity than it may be practical to produce, so it is very doubtful whether his estates can ever be recovered. That is all, friends.”
As the Señor Zuniga concluded his story, he arose, kissed his daughter, and took a turn up and down the room.