"
"Well," said Richard, impatiently, "then the boy has eyes like sloes,
and a brown skin, like an Italian, and black hair almost; it will be
quite."
"Well," said Wheeler, "it is not so very uncommon for a dark child to
be born of fair parents, or _vice versa._ I once saw an urchin that was
like neither father nor mother, but the image of his father's
grandfather, that died eighty years before he was born. They used to
hold him up to the portrait."
Said Bassett, "Will you admit that it is uncommon?"
"Not so uncommon as for a high-bred lady, living in the country, and
adored by her husband, to trifle with her marriage vow, for that is
what you are driving at."
"Then we have to decide between two improbabilities: will you grant me
that, Mr. Wheeler?"
"Yes."
"Then suppose I can prove fact upon fact, and coincidence upon
coincidence, all tending one way! Are you so prejudiced that nothing
will convince you?"
"No. But it will take a great deal: that lady's face is full of purity,
and she fought us like one who loved her husband."
_"Fronti nulla fides:_ and as for her fighting, her infidelity was the
weapon she defeated us with. Will you hear me?"
"Yes, yes; but pray stick to facts, and not conjectures."
"Then don't interrupt me with childish arguments:
_"Fact 1.
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