If it is, it is worth a great deal,
perhaps as much as the statue itself."
Sabina's eyes had opened very wide in her surprise, for she had never
really believed the tale, and even when he had told her that he had
found something she had not thought it could be anything very
valuable.
"Are you quite sure you have seen it?" she asked with childlike
wonder.
"Yes. I lowered a light into the place, but I did not go down. There
may be other things. They belong to you."
"To me? Why?" asked Sabina in surprise.
"For a good many reasons which may or may not be good in law but which
are good enough for me. You were robbed of your dowry--forgive the
expression. I cannot think of another word. The Senator got possession
of the palace for much less than its market value, let alone what I
have found. He sent for me because I have been fortunate in finding
things, and he believed it just possible that there might be something
hidden in the foundations. Your family spent long ago what he lent
them on the mortgage, and Sassi assures me that you never had a penny
of it. I mean you to have your share now. That is all."
Sabina listened quietly enough to the end.
"Thank you, very much," she said gravely, when he had finished.
Then there was another pause. To her imagination the possibilities of
wealth seemed fabulous, and even Malipieri thought them large; but
Sabina was not thinking of a fortune for its own sake.
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