Sabina was on her knees, and had thrown her
arms wildly round the Signora Malipieri's neck, and was kissing her
again and again.
"But it is nothing," protested the Signora, beaming with delight. "It
is so simple, so easy, and I know exactly what to do."
"You?" cried Sabina between laughing and crying.
"Yes. I once gave lessons in the house of a famous lawyer, and
sometimes I was asked to stay to luncheon, and I heard a great case
discussed, and I asked questions, until I thoroughly understood it
all. You see, it was what I always meant to do. There is a little
fiction about the way it is managed, but it is perfectly legal. Though
Italians may naturalize themselves in a foreign country, they can
regain their own nationality by a simple declaration. Now, Signor
Malipieri and I must be naturalized in Switzerland. I know a place
where it can be done easily. Then we can be divorced by mutual consent
at once. We come back to Italy, declare our nationality wherever we
please, and we are free to be married to any one else, under Italian
law. The fiction is only that by paying some money, it can all be done
in three months, instead of in three years."
Malipieri had listened attentively.
"Are you positively sure of that?" he asked.
"I have the authority of one of the first lawyers in Italy.
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