Nothing overmuch. Count Caloveglia
knew the story of Polycrates, the too-fortunate man. He knew what lies
in wait for the presumptuous mortal whoo oversteps the boundary of what
is fair and good. Nemesis!
Three hundred and fifty thousand francs. There would be an ample dowry
for Matilda. And, as regards himself, he could return to his passion of
youth; he could afford to become a sculptor again and even, if so
disposed, a collector--though not exactly after the style of his
excellent friend Cornelius van Koppen.
"That was a suggestive encounter, was it not, between the Deputy and
our local judge?"
He spoke, as before, out of civility.
"Very suggestive," assented Mr. Heard. "Two blackguards, I call them."
The bishop was particularly glad to learn, as everybody on the island
had learnt, the minutest details of this sordid legal affair. It seemed
likewise to have been providentially arranged, in order to afford him
an insight into the administration of local law, and some notion of
what would have been in store for his cousin had she applied for relief
from Muhlen's persecutions to Signor Malipizzo, his intimate friend.
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