“Theodora, my Theodora, I am the happiest of mortals! Wherever I turn I see nothing but happiness and joy. The sky is clear and blue above me, and you love me and will always love me. You have repelled me, but indeed you knew me not. You have left my ring in the hands of vice, but how could you know it? Did I not myself doubt my own identity when I first saw him? Is not that vile fellow, Rodel, my perfect double? But all is right again, and I have your ring upon my finger. Hear how it all came about. The day after you left, I went to the promenade overwhelmed with agony at your departure, and your manner toward me. There I saw the detestable gambler, Rodel, and a ray of light from his finger caught my eye. I looked at it more attentively—it was the very ring that I had given you. I felt that I must instantly know how he came by it, and perhaps it would unravel the mystery. “‘Sir,’ said I, turning to him, ‘you have a fine stone there.’ “‘Do you like it?’ said the fellow with assumed nonchalance, ‘_ma foi_, it does not look amiss, and from a fair one too.’ “‘I controlled myself, followed him to his room, and stepping up to him, said coldly and seriously— “‘Mr. Rodel, be pleased to tell me upon this spot how you came by that ring.’ “‘_En vérité mon enfant_,’ laughed he, ‘you are very amusing, but I am not in a joking humor, what do you want of me?’ “‘The ring,’ replied I, ‘and an open confession of how you came by it.’ “‘I can easily tell you that, the more readily as I think you already guess the truth. I received it from my lady fair, Miss Theodora S——. Ah! my dear fellow, she is _un morceau de prince_.’