For a long time neither spoke, for both were equally overwhelmed
by the magnitude of the disaster that hung over their heads. They
looked furtively at each other, and each saw that his companion
was white to the lips. The old man was the first to break the
silence.
"At all events, San Giacinto does not know how the deed stands,"
he said.
"It will make it all the harder to tell him," replied Giovanni.
"To tell him? You would not be so mad--"
"Do you think it would be honourable," asked the younger man, "for
us to remain in possession of what clearly does not belong to us?
I will not do it."
"We have been in possession for more than a century."
"That is no reason why we should continue to steal another man's
money," said Giovanni. "We are men. Let us act like men. It is
bitter. It is horrible. But we have no other course. After all,
Corona has Astrardente. She will give you a home. She is rich."
"Me? Why do you say me? Us both."
"I will work for my living," said Giovanni, quietly. "I am young.
I will not live on my wife."
"It is absurd!" exclaimed the prince. "It is Quixotic. San
Giacinto has plenty of money without ruining us. Even if he finds
it out I will fight the case to the end. I am master here, as my
father and my father's father were before me, and I will not give
up what is mine without a struggle.
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