I do not mean it."
"Well--do you want my advice?"
"Always."
The single word was uttered with an accent implying more than mere
trust, and was accompanied by a look full of strong feeling. But
Corona's expression did not change. Her eyes returned the glance
quietly, without affectation, neither lovingly nor unlovingly, but
indifferently. Giovanni felt a sharp little pain in his heart as
he realised the change that had taken place in his wife.
"My advice is to do nothing in the matter. San Giacinto may be an
impostor; indeed, it is not at all unlikely. If he is, he will
take advantage of your desire to act generously. He will be
forewarned and forearmed and will have time to procure all the
proofs he wants. What could you say to him? 'If you can prove your
birth, I give you all I possess.' He will at once see that nothing
else is necessary, and if he is a rogue he will succeed. Besides,
as I tell you, he knows what that deed contains as well as you do,
and if he is the man he will bring an action against your father
in a week. If he does not, you gain the advantage of having
discovered that he is an impostor without exposing yourself to be
robbed."
"It goes against the grain," said Giovanni. "But I suppose you are
right.
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