He had embarked upon
the undertaking, however, and he fully believed that it would be
impossible to draw back even had he wished to do so. The
insertions were made and could not be erased. It is possible that
at one moment, had Montevarchi known the truth, he would have
drawn back; but it is equally sure that if he had done so he would
sooner or later have regretted it, and would have done all in his
power to recover lost ground and to perpetrate the fraud. The
dominant passion for money, when it is on the point of being
satisfied, is one of the strongest incentives to evil deeds, and
in the present case the stake was enormous. He would not let it
slip through his fingers. He rejoiced that the thing was done and
that the millions of the Saracinesca were already foredoomed to be
his.
It is doubtful whether he was able to form a clear conception of
what would take place after the trial was over and the property
awarded to his son-in-law. It was perhaps enough for his ambition
that his daughter should be Princess Saracinesca, and he did not
doubt his power to control some part of the fortune. San Giacinto,
who was wholly innocent in the matter, would, he thought, be
deeply grateful for having been told of his position, and would
show his gratitude in a befitting manner.
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