Princess Montefiano opened it, and then she suddenly turned very pale.
"It is Bianca!" she exclaimed. "It is Bianca herself! Signor Rossano," she added, "what does this mean?"
"No," returned Silvio, in a low voice, "it is not Bianca."
Princess Montefiano did not notice his unconscious departure from the formalities. She bent over the miniature and examined it attentively. "No," she said, after a pause, "it is not Bianca—the face has not her character in its expression. It is a weaker face. It is strange," she continued, as though speaking to herself, "but I have never seen any portrait of my husband's first wife; there is none at Palazzo Acorari—and, of course, this is she. But how did the miniature come into Monsignor Lelli's possession?" she added.
"Can you not guess, princess?" asked Silvio, gravely.
Princess Montefiano looked at him. "You mean—" she began, and then she paused.
Silvio nodded. "Yes," he said.
The princess remained silent. She appeared to be deeply moved, for her hands trembled as, after another intent look at the portrait, she closed the case and returned it to Silvio.
He took it from her almost reverently. "Don Agostino told me to say to you that you were to regard the miniature as his credentials; and," he added, "as he hoped, my passport."
"Your passport?" repeated Princess Montefiano.