Valentini was disagreeably surprised by Fru Bjork's plan; he had been counting on several weeks more to conduct his siege of the girl's heart, and this sudden departure dashed the untasted cup from his lips. In vain he tried to make an occasion for a declaration, although he was aware from Ragna's attitude that to force the situation in such a way would probably mean irremediable failure. He was willing to risk all for all, but during these last days he found no chance of speaking to her alone. Finally he went to Ferrati and poured out his hopes and disappointment. Ferrati listened judicially concealing his satisfaction that nothing definite had as yet occurred, and he counselled Egidio to be patient. "_Mio caro_," he said, "if you were to declare yourself now, you would spoil all. The Signorina is certainly not thinking of marriage at the present moment. Wait!" "But if I wait," objected Egidio, "she will be gone and my chance with her!" "Is this girl the only fish in the sea, then, that you should be so set on her? Let her go, Egidio! You told me only a few weeks since that you had no thought of marrying, that women were nothing to you. Let the girl go, she is not extraordinarily beautiful, she is not rich," (Egidio has not mentioned Ragna's expectations) "after all is said and done she is a stranger--believe me, it will be far better for all concerned if you put her out of your mind." Egidio looked at his friend suspiciously. "If you were not already married, I should think--" Ferrati interrupted him with a laugh. "No, my friend, personally it is nothing to me, it is for your own sake and for the sake of the girl herself that I ask you to give up the idea." "Why?" "I don't think it would make for happiness." "But I do, Rico. I want the girl, she appeals to me, I--I love her." "Well, wait then, there is no reason for precipitating things." "But she is going away, I shall lose my chance." "She may be coming back to Florence, or you could go to Venice later on. In any case she is not in love with you now, and a few months may change much." "What do you mean? Why do you talk in riddles? You know I can't run all over the country just now, that I have those orders for the London Society and as for her coming back here you know perfectly well that Fru Bjork will not return to Florence, she has said so." "The Signora has said that she will not return, but she may change her mind, or the Signorina might come back without her--if you love me, Egidio, do nothing now, wait awhile! "In any case, even if she were to consent, I don't think the Signorina's health would permit of her marrying just now--unless--" He broke off suddenly as if afraid to say more, and rose from the café table where they were sitting. "Look here, Egidio, promise me that you won't force the situation now." "_Va bene, va bene_," said Egidio, and made no effort to detain him. A light had broken in upon his mystification at Ferrati's last speech.