“Then thou hast hopes of gaining?”
“When it is a question of breaking a will, there are chances almost always, because generally the attack is conducted with a hundred times more energy than is the defence. Who will defend against me? Institutions; that is, bodies unwieldy by nature, of small self-help, whose representatives have no personal interest in the defence. They will find an advocate; well! but what will they give him, what can they give him? As much as is allowed by law; now that advocate will have more chances of profit in case I win, for that may depend on a personal bargain between him and me. In general, I tell thee that in legal actions, as in life, the side wins which has the greater wish to win.”
“But public opinion will grind thee into bran, if thou break such wills. My wife is interested a little, thou seest.”
“How a little?” interrupted Mashko. “I shall be a genuine benefactor to both of you.”
“Well, my wife is indignant, and opposed to the whole action.”
“Thy wife is an exception.”
“Not altogether; it is not to my taste either.”
“What’s this? Have they made thee a sentimentalist also?”
“My dear friend, we have known each other a long time; use that language with some other man.”
“Well, I will talk of opinions only. To begin with, I tell thee that a certain unpopularity for a man genuinely comme il faut rather helps than harms him; second, it is necessary to understand those matters. People would grind me into bran, as thou hast said, should I lose the case; but if I win, I shall be considered a strong head—and I shall win.”