"I am sure—there can be no mistake," the man replied. Then he told her of the interview which had occurred in the hall, where he had found the woman standing before the picture which he had painted in Rome so many years ago.
"She recognized it at once," he said; "she located the very spot from which I had painted the scene."
"Oh, I cannot make it seem possible, for I tell you I saw her lying dead in her casket," moaned madam, who, even in the face of all proofs, could not bring herself to believe that her old rival was living and had it in her power to ruin her life.
"She must have been in a trance—she must have been resuscitated by those people who found her. As sure as you and I both live, she is living also," Mr. Goddard solemnly responded.
"Oh, how could such a thing be?"
"I do not know—she did not tell me; she was very cold and proud."
"What was she doing here? How dared she enter this house?" cried madam, her anger blazing up again.
"I cannot tell you. It was a question I was asking myself just as you came to the door," said Mr. Goddard, with a sigh. "I have no doubt she had some deep-laid purpose, however."
"Do you imagine her purpose was to get possession of that document?" questioned madam.
"I had thought of that—I have felt almost sure of it since you told me it had disappeared."