"
"And the operation will leave no trace on the original?"
"None."
A smile of triumph played upon Mademoiselle Marguerite's lips. It
was as she had thought; the defensive plan which she had suddenly
conceived was a good one. "One more question, sir," she resumed.
"I am only a poor, ignorant girl: excuse me, and give me the
benefit of your knowledge. This letter will be returned to its
author to-morrow, and he will burn it. But afterward, in case of
any difficulty--in case of a law-suit--or in case it should be
necessary for me to prove certain things which one might establish
by means of this letter, would one of your photographs be admitted
as evidence?"
The photographer did not answer for a moment. Now he understood
Mademoiselle Marguerite's motive, and the importance she attached
to a facsimile. But this imparted an unexpected gravity to the
service he was called upon to perform. He therefore wished some
time for reflection, and he scrutinized Mademoiselle Marguerite as
if he were trying to read her very soul. Was it possible that
this young girl, with such a pure and noble brow, and with such
frank, honest eyes, could be meditating any cowardly, dishonorable
act? No, he could not believe it. In whom, or in what, could he
trust if such a countenance deceived him?" My facsimile would
certainly be admitted as evidence," he replied at last; "and this
would not be the first time that the decision of a court has
depended on proofs which have been photographed by me.
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