Guido had never mentioned them, of course, and Lamberti explained in a few words exactly what had happened, and the nature of the receipts Guido had given to his aunt.
"I daresay you are right about Monsieur Leroy," he concluded, "for the old lady is far too clever to have done such an absurd thing as this, and it is just like his blundering hatred of Guido."
"I wish he were here," said Cecilia, looking at Lamberti's hands. "I wonder what you would do to him."
"The lawyer is here, which is more to the purpose," Lamberti answered.
"You cannot fight a lawyer, can you?" asked the young girl. "You cannot shoot him."
"One can without doubt," returned Lamberti, smiling. "But it will not be necessary."
"My dear child," cried the Countess in a reproachful tone, "I had no idea you could be so bloodthirsty! Your father fought with Garibaldi, but I am sure he never talked like that."
"Men have no need of talking, mother. They can fight themselves."
"May I take the Figaro with me?" asked Lamberti. "I may not be able to buy a copy. By the bye, Baron Goldbirn is your guardian, is he not? He must have important relations with the financiers in Paris."
Cecilia looked at her mother, meaning her to answer the question.