I do not know enough of your family
history to understand why neither he nor his son nor his grandson
ever made any attempt to recover their birthright, but I know
enough of law to affirm that the clause is still good. It is
identical"--the prince smiled pleasantly--"it is identical in the
original and in the copy preserved in the Chancery archives. In my
opinion you have only to present the two documents before a
competent court, in order to obtain a unanimous verdict in your
favour."
San Giacinto looked hard from under his overhanging brows at the
old man's keen face. Then, suddenly, he stuck his heavy fist into
the palm of his left hand, and rose from his chair, a gleam of
savage triumph in his eyes. For some time he paced the room in
silence.
"I wish Giovanni no ill, nor his father either," he said at last.
"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Montevarchi, crossing himself. "And
besides, as the property is all yours, that would be of no use."
San Giacinto stared a minute, and then his deep voice rang out in
a hearty laugh. He had an intimate conviction that his devout
father-in-law was quite capable, not only of wishing evil to his
neighbour, but of putting his wishes into execution if his
interests could be advanced thereby.
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