Even now he persuaded himself that the end was a righteous one,
and that his course was morally justifiable. He had that power of
deceiving himself which characterises the accomplished hypocrite,
and he easily built up for San Giacinto a whole edifice of
sympathy which seemed in his own view very real and moral. He
reflected with satisfaction upon the probable feelings of the old
Leone Saracinesca, when, after relinquishing his birthright, he
found himself married and the father of a son. How the poor man
must have cursed his folly and longed for some means of undoing
the deed! It was but common justice after all--it was but common
justice, and it was a mere accident of fate that Leone's great-
grandson, who was now to be reinstated in all the glories of his
princely possessions, was also to marry Flavia Montevarchi.
The prospect was too alluring and the suspense lasted but a
moment, though he believed that he spent much time in considering
the situation. The thoughts that really occupied him were not of a
nature to hinder the accomplishment of his plan, and he was not at
all surprised with himself when he finally tied up the packet and
rang for a messenger. Detection was impossible, for by Meschini's
skilful management, the original and the official copy
corresponded exactly and were such marvellous forgeries as to defy
discovery.
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