"
"Yes--far better. Oh, I am so sorry for you!"
"Who pities, may yet love," he said in low tones.
Corona did not make any answer, but for many minutes lay watching
the dancing flames. Giovanni knew that it would be wiser to say
nothing more which could recall the past, and when he spoke again
it was to ask her opinion once more concerning the best course to
pursue in regard to the property.
"I still think," answered Corona, "that you had better do nothing
for the present. You will soon know what San Giacinto means to do.
You may be sure that if he has any rights he will not forget to
press them. If it comes to the worst and you are quite sure that
he is the man you--that is to say, your father--can give up
everything without a suit. It is useless to undertake the
consequences of a misfortune which may never occur. It would be
reckless to resign your inheritance without a struggle, when San
Giacinto, if he is an honest man, would insist upon the case being
tried in law."
"That is true. I will take your advice. I am so much disturbed
about other things that I am inclined to go to all extremes at
once. Will you dine with us this evening?"
"I think not. Give me one more day. I shall be stronger to-
morrow."
"I have tired you," exclaimed Giovanni in a tone of self-reproach.
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