The Aspern Papers

"Well," said Mrs. Prest after a moment, provokingly, "perhaps after all they haven't any of his things. If they deny it flat how are you sure?" "John Cumnor is sure, and it would take me long to tell you how his conviction, or his very strong presumption-strong enough to stand against the old lady's not unnatural fib-has built itself up. Besides, he makes much of the internal evidence of the niece's letter." "The internal evidence?" "Her calling him 'Mr. Aspern.'" "I don't see what that proves.