It is hard to
imagine how any man in his position could have done less than he
did, and now that it had come to a final settlement he was really
anxious to cause his vanquished relations as little humiliation as
possible. To go to their house was like playing the part of a
bailiff. To allow them to come to his dwelling suggested the
journey to Canossa. The Palazzo Montevarchi was neutral ground,
and he proposed that the formalities should be fulfilled there.
Saracinesca consented readily enough and the day was fixed.
The notaries arrived at ten o'clock in the morning, accompanied by
clerks who were laden with books, inventories and rolls of
manuscript. The study had been selected for the meeting, both on
account of its seclusion from the rest of the house and because it
contained an immense table which would serve for the voluminous
documents, all of which must be examined and verified. San
Giacinto himself awaited the arrival of the Saracinesca in the
great reception-room. He had sent his wife away, for he was in
reality by no means so calm as he appeared to be, and her constant
talk disturbed him. He paced the long room with regular steps, his
head erect, his hands behind him, stopping from time to time to
listen for the footsteps of those he expected.
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