‘That was like you,’ Maria said gently.
Had he not forgiven her a far greater debt?
‘It was only just,’ Montalto answered. ‘I meant never to think of the matter again unless he repeated the offence.’
‘Has he done anything of the kind since then?’
‘No.’
‘But you think he might.’
‘N—no. But he could if he wished to, and I don’t think I should ever know it!’
‘What do you mean?’
‘My dear, he paid back the money very soon; so soon that I was surprised. Then I sent him to Spain on an errand, and while he was away I got a confidential accountant here and we examined his books very carefully.’
‘Well?’