The prospect was too alluring and the suspense lasted but a moment, though he believed that he spent much time in considering the situation.  The thoughts that really occupied him were not of a nature to hinder the accomplishment of his plan, and he was not at all surprised with himself when he finally tied up the packet and rang for a messenger.  Detection was impossible, for by Meschini’s skilful management, the original and the official copy corresponded exactly and were such marvellous forgeries as to defy discovery.  When it is considered that the greatest scientists and specialists in Europe have recently disagreed concerning documents which are undoubtedly of modern manufacture, and which were produced by just such men as Arnoldo Meschini, it need not appear surprising that the latter should successfully impose upon a court of law.  The circumstances of the Saracinesca family history, too, lent an air of probability to the alleged facts.  The poverty and temporary disappearance of Leone’s descendants explained why they had not attempted to recover their rights.  Nay, more, since Leone had died when his son was an infant, and since there was no copy of the document among his papers, it was more than probable that the child on growing up had never known the nature of the deed, and would not have been likely to suspect what was now put forward as the truth, unless his attention were called to it by some person possessed of the necessary knowledge.

The papers were returned to Prince Saracinesca in the afternoon with a polite note of thanks.  It will be remembered that the prince had not read the documents, as he had meant to do, in consequence of the trouble between Giovanni and Corona which had made him forget his intention.  He had not looked over them since he had been a young man and the recollection of their contents was far from clear.  Having always supposed the collateral branch of his family to be extinct, it was only natural that he should have bestowed very little thought upon the ancient deeds which he believed to have been drawn up in due form and made perfectly legal.

When he came home towards evening, he found the sealed packet upon his table, and having opened it, was about to return the papers to their place in the archives.  It chanced that he had a letter to write, however, and he pushed the documents aside before taking them to the library.  While he was writing, Giovanni entered the room.

As has been seen, the prince had been very angry with his son for having allowed himself to doubt Corona, and though several days had elapsed since the matter had been explained, the old man’s wrath had not wholly subsided.  He still felt considerable resentment against Giovanni, and his intercourse with the latter had not yet regained its former cordiality.  As Sant’ Ilario entered the room, Saracinesca looked up with an expression which showed clearly that the interruption was unwelcome.

“Do I disturb you?” asked Giovanni, noticing the look.