"
Philip Hardin has sprung to his lawyers. They are amazed at the
lovely apparition of another Isabel Valois. At the bidding of the
Court, Louise Moreau's gentle face appears.
"And who is the other young lady, according to your theory?" falters
the astounded judge, who cannot on the bench receive the support
of his Mephistopheles.
"We will leave that to be proved, your Honor! We will prove OUR
client to be Isabel Valois. We will prove the other lady not to
be. It remains for the guardian, who produces her, to show who she
may be." The lawyer quietly seats himself.
There is a deadlock. There is confusion in court. Side by side
are seated two dark-eyed girls, in the flush of a peerless young
womanhood. Lovely and yet unlike in facial lines, they are both
daughters of the South. Their deep melting eyes are gazing, in
timid wonder, at each other. They are strangers.
"What is the name of your witness?" the judge mechanically questions.
The lawyer calmly answers, "Francois Ribaut (known in religion
as 'Padre Francisco'), who married the father and mother of this
young lady, and also baptized her."
A faint sob from Natalie breaks the silence. Her eyes are filled
with sudden tears. She knows the truth at last.
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