human
I understand that you refused Volterra's proposal, he said, returning to the present trouble.
gpt
Do you mean to say that he declined to help you unless you would accept it?
human
Oh, no! He only said that as I was not disposed to accept what would make it so much easier, he would have to think it over. I have not seen him since.
gpt
But you understand what he had planned, do you not? Malipieri asked.
human
It is very simple.
gpt
It is not so clear to me. I am not at all clever, you know. The Princess laughed carelessly.
human
He must have a very good reason for offering to pay a hundred thousand francs in order that his son may marry Sabina, who has not a penny. I confess, if it were not an impertinence, it would look like a foolish caprice. I suppose he thinks it would be socially advantageous.
gpt
His wife is a snob, Malipieri answered,
human
gpt
Then of what possible use could it be to him to marry his son to Sabina, and to throw all that money away for the sake of getting her?
human
In the first place, he said slowly,
gpt
I do not believe he would really pay the blackmail, or if he did, he would catch the man, get the money back, and have him sent to penal servitude. He is very clever, and in his position he can have whatever help he asks from the government, especially in a just cause, as that would be. Perhaps he thinks that he has guessed who the man is.
human
Have you any idea?
gpt
In the second place, Malipieri continued, without heeding the question,
human
I am almost sure that when you were in difficulties, two or three months ago, he got the better of you, as he gets the better of every one. With the value of these statues, he has probably pocketed a couple of million francs by the transaction.
gpt
The wretch! exclaimed the Princess.
human
I wish you were my lawyer! You have such a clear way of putting things.
gpt
I have always believed what I have just told you, he answered.
human
That was the reason why I hoped that Donna Sabina might yet recover what she should have had from the estate. Volterra is sure that if you can take proper steps, you will recover a large sum, and that is why he is so anxious to marry his son to your daughter. He thinks the match would settle the whole affair.
gpt
The idiot! As if I did not need the money myself!
human
But you will not get it, he answered.
gpt
You will certainly not get it if Volterra is interested in the matter, for it will all go to your daughter. Your other two children have had their share of their father's estate, and that of the daughters should have amounted to at least two millions each. But Donna Sabina has never had a penny. Whatever is recovered from Volterra will go to her, not to you.
human
It would be the same thing,
gpt
Not exactly, Malipieri said,
human
Yes. It is very disappointing, but I suppose you are right.
gpt
I know I am, except about the exact sum involved. I am an architect by profession, I know something of Volterra's affairs and I do not think I am very far wrong. Very good. But Volterra has accidentally got hold of a terrible weapon against you, in the shape of this blackmailer's letter.
human
Then you advise me to accept his offer after all?
gpt
He knows that you must, unless you can find something better. You are in his power.
human
But why should I, if I am to get nothing by it?
gpt
There is Donna Sabina's good name at stake,
human
I had forgotten. Of course! How stupid of me!