He was of opinion that the revision would
certainly be granted, but he would say nothing as to the amount which
might be recovered by the Conti family. As a matter of fact, the
settlement had been made hastily, between Volterra, old Sassi and a
notary who was not a lawyer; and Volterra, who knew what he was about,
and profited largely by it, had run the risk of a revision being
required. For the rest, Malipieri's explanation of his motives was the
true one.
At the first suggestion of a marriage with Volterra's son Sabina
flatly refused to entertain the thought. She made no outcry, she did
not even raise her voice, nor change colour; but she planted her
little feet firmly together on the footstool before her chair, folded
her hands in her lap and looked straight at her mother.
"I will not marry him," she said. "It is of no use to try to make me.
I will not."
Her mother began to draw a flattering though imaginary portrait of the
young cavalry officer, and enlarged upon his fortune and future
position. Volterra was immensely rich, and though he was not quite one
of themselves, society had accepted him, his sons had been admirably
brought up, and would be as good as any one. There was not a prince in
Rome who would not be glad to make such a match for his daughter,
"It is quite useless, mother," said Sabina.
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