"I understand that you refused Volterra's proposal," he said,
returning to the present trouble. "Do you mean to say that he declined
to help you unless you would accept it?"
"Oh, no! He only said that as I was not disposed to accept what would
make it so much easier, he would have to think it over. I have not
seen him since."
"But you understand what he had planned, do you not?" Malipieri asked.
"It is very simple."
"It is not so clear to me. I am not at all clever, you know." The
Princess laughed carelessly. "He must have a very good reason for
offering to pay a hundred thousand francs in order that his son may
marry Sabina, who has not a penny. I confess, if it were not an
impertinence, it would look like a foolish caprice. I suppose he
thinks it would be socially advantageous."
Her lip curled and showed her even white teeth.
"His wife is a snob," Malipieri answered, "but Volterra does not care
for anything but power and money, except perhaps for the sort of
reputation he has, which helps him to get both." "Then of what
possible use could it be to him to marry his son to Sabina, and to
throw all that money away for the sake of getting her?"
Malipieri hesitated, not sure whether it would be wise to tell her all
he thought.
"In the first place," he said slowly, "I do not believe he would
really pay the blackmail, or if he did, he would catch the man, get
the money back, and have him sent to penal servitude.
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