Answer me honestly, for I do not ask from idle curiosity.

Where did you meet her ?" "In Lugano.

We drove to Milan with the same vetturino, and afterwards I found her again in Rome and saw her daily for months." "Then you know her intimately.

Do you still think the resemblance surprising, after having seen me for the second time ?" "Very surprising." "Then I must have a double.

Is she a native of this country ?" "She called herself an Italian, but she understood Dutch, for she has often turned the pages of my books and followed the conversation I had with young artists from our home.