A curious sense of embarrassment had kept her from telling Ferrati of the compact between herself and Valentini, to observe only friendly relations leaving the marriage a mere form for the eyes of the world. It was unfortunate that she had not told the Doctor as with his man's knowledge of life and of the fiery temperament of his friend, he would have seen the impossibility of prolonging any such state of affairs, and the mere fact of Egidio's having proposed such a scheme would have aroused his suspicions as to his friend's motives in the matter and his entire sincerity of purpose. Egidio was no Sir Galahad and was not in the least given to idealizing the relations between man and woman, or even capable of conceiving of such a relation apart from the sexual element, and Ferrati knew it. As it was, he went home very pleased with the way things were falling out, and announced the coming engagement to Virginia who raised her arms in silent amazement, and let them drop limply. "Not Egidio Valentini?" she said. "Poor girl!" "Now why do you say that, Virginia?" "I say 'poor girl' if she is to marry Egidio, that is all. What on earth can induce her to do such a thing?" "What can she do? Think of her situation, Ninì. I consider her fortunate to have found as good a man as Egidio." "As good a man as Egidio--well--what I wonder is, what has induced him to propose to her. What does he expect to gain by it? She is not rich." "Now, Ninì, you are unjust; you have never liked Egidio, I know, but you must admit that he is behaving most magnanimously. Here is a girl who has been unfortunate, who has no money, and who is about to lose her reputation, he offers her marriage, he gives her his name, he declares himself ready to recognise the child, what more would you have? What better proof of his disinterestedness? I tell you, you have always misjudged Egidio, you let your prejudice blind you." "Believe me, Rico, there is more in this than meets the eye,--_gatto ci cova_, Egidio is not the man for such a quixotic action. I am sorry for Ragna, I am afraid she will find herself out of the frying pan into the fire." "I hope at least, that you will say nothing to her to discourage her. She has had a hard time already to make up her mind--and you must admit that this marriage is her one chance." "Did you influence her in any way, Rico?" "She asked me my opinion and I told her I thought she should accept Egidio, if not for her own sake, then for the child's." "I wish you had not done that, I wish you had kept out of the affair altogether. It never does to make up people's minds for them, the time always comes when they turn on you and rend you. And in this case the responsibility is far too great--you will regret it some day, mark my words!"