"Yes," said Mario, "the seal belonged to my father, there was a coat of arms on it: but it was stolen from us not long ago. As for the ring, neither Monsieur Anjorrant, nor my Mercedes, who is very clever, nor I, nor anybody has ever been able to open it. But there's something inside. My mother, who died without saying a word except her name, Marie, motioned to the curé to open her ring. She had not the strength to do it; but he could not."
"Go and get it," said the marquis, "perhaps we can do it."
"Oh! no," replied Mario in dismay; "my Mercedes won't like it, and, if she knows that I have spoken, she will be very sorry."
"But, after all, why does she conceal all this from us, who may be able to help her to find your family?"
"Because she thinks that you will listen to the Spaniard, and that he will kill her if he learns that she has recognized him."
"But does he not recognize her?"
"He never saw her, for she was hiding."
"Has she ever seen him since that terrible business?"
"No, never."
"And, after ten years, she feels sure that she can identify him! It is very doubtful."