You know her well.

If she is kind-hearted, as I think she is, she will pay your brother's debts, take over the estates herself, since it is time, and manage that Cardinal Campodonico shall never suspect that there has been anything wrong with the administration.

If she is not so charitable as to do that of her own free will, why then, since you believe it, tell her that she must do it to save her life.

It is most unlikely that she will refuse and take refuge with the cardinal in order to bring public disgrace upon her father's sister.

And even that, horrible as it seems to you--if it must be, it will be, and it will not be your fault--" "But Matilde--" Bosio began in troubled tones.