Teresa changed her manner.
“What will be the punishment?” she asked.
“If he did not take the purse, eccellenza, he will have the option of a fine or a few days’ detention.”
“A fine? That might be paid to-day.”
“To-morrow.”
“But I will pay it. I am quite ready to pay it,” she exclaimed eagerly. “Please let him go at once. You would oblige me very greatly.”
The magistrate waved his hand indulgently.
“It is absolutely impossible. The case cannot be dealt with so summarily. The signore will understand that certain formalities have to be gone through,” he added, appealing to the superior intelligence of the masculine mind.
“I think you’d better let it be as he says,” Wilbraham urged, anxious to get her out of the place. “I’ll be here to-morrow morning, and see it well through.”
Teresa might not have heard. She stood considering.