"Not the least. Besides, that is all you have."
"What would that matter?" asked Lamberti.
Guido looked up at last, for he knew that the words were true and earnest.
"Thank you," he answered. "I know you would do that for me. But it would not be of any use. Things have gone too far."
"Shall I go to her and talk the matter over? I believe I could frighten her into justice. After all, she has no legal claim upon you."
Guido shook his head.
"That is not the question," he answered. "She never pretends that her right is legal, for it is not. On the contrary, she says it is a question of honour, that I have lost her money for her in speculations, and that I am bound to restore it to her. It is true that I only did with it exactly what she wished, and what she insisted that I should do, against my own judgment. She knows that."
"But then, I do not see—"
"She also knows that I cannot prove it," interrupted Guido, "and as she is perfectly unscrupulous, she will use everything against me to make out that I have deliberately cheated her out of the money."
"But it cannot make so much difference to her, after all," objected Lamberti. "She must have an immense fortune somewhere."