“I conceive that a house cannot be built without an architect,” answered Contini, laughing, “and it has always been plain to me that there can be no architects without houses to build.  But as for any especial credit to me, I refute the charge indignantly.  I except the matter of the turret, which is evidently what has attracted the buyer.  I always thought it would.  You would never have thought of a turret, would you, Don Orsino?”

“Certainly not, nor of many other things,” answered Orsino, laughing.  “But I am sorry to leave the place.  I have grown into liking it.”

“What can one do?  It is the way of the world—­’lieto ricordo d’un amor che fu,’” sang Contini in the thin but expressive falsetto which seems to be the natural inheritance of men who play upon stringed instruments.  He broke off in the middle of a bar and laughed, out of sheer delight at his own good fortune.

In due time the purchaser came, saw and actually bought.  He was a problematic personage with a disquieting nose, who spoke few words but examined everything with an air of superior comprehension.  He looked keenly at Orsino but seemed to have no idea who he was and put all his questions to Contini.

After agreeing to the purchase he inquired whether Andrea Contini and Company had any other houses of the same description building and if so where they were situated, adding that he liked the firm’s way of doing things.  He stipulated for one or two slight improvements, made an appointment for a meeting with the notaries on the following day and went off with a rather unceremonious nod to the partners.  The name he left was that of a well-known capitalist from the south, and Contini was inclined to think he had seen him before, but was not certain.

Within a week the business was concluded, the buyer took over the mortgage as Orsino and Contini had done and paid the difference in cash into the bank, which deducted the amounts due on notes of hand before handing the remainder to the two young men.  The buyer also kept back a small part of the purchase money to be paid on taking possession, when the house was to be entirely finished.  Andrea Contini and Company had realised a considerable sum of money.

“The question is, what to do next,” said Orsino thoughtfully.

“We had better look about us for something promising,” said his partner.  “A corner lot in this same quarter.  Corner houses are more interesting to build and people like them to live in because they can see two or three ways at once.  Besides, a corner is always a good place for a turret.  Let us take a walk—­smoking and strolling, we shall find something.”

“A year ago, no doubt,” answered Orsino, who was becoming worldly wise.  “A year ago that would have been well enough.  But listen to me.  That house opposite to ours has been finished some time, yet nobody has bought it.  What is the reason?”

“It faces north and not south, as ours does, and it has not a Gothic roof.”