I stand before you the most wretched man in all this duchy.

These men affirm that I am not your father.

They say that you are not my daughter." "And that Gretchen is!" spoke Hans.

His conscience was costing every one something dear.
"I ?" Gretchen drew closer to Hildegarde.
The duke studied the portrait of the mother and then the faces of these two girls.

Both possessed a resemblance, only it seemed now that Gretchen was nearest to the portrait and Hildegarde nearest to the doubt.
"You say she wore the costume of a Gipsy child when you lost her ?" said the duke.
"Yes." Von Arnsberg took from under his coat a small bundle which he opened with shaking fingers.