more valuable ones, if well used and well kept.  But let not graceless man discover that it is used upon him.  He will resent being led by his own reason far more than being made the senseless slave of a foolish woman’s wildest caprice.  To select the best of himself for his own use is to trample upon his free will.  To send him barefoot to Jericho in search of a dried flower is to appeal to his heart.  Man is a reasoning animal.

Corona, as was to be expected, was triumphant in Orsino’s first success, and spent as much time in talking over the past and the future with him as she could command during his own hours of liberty.  He needed no urging to continue in the same course, but he enjoyed her happiness and delighted in her encouragement.

“Contini wishes to take a large contract,” he said to her, after the interview last described.  “I agree with him, in a way.  We could certainly manage a larger business.”

“No doubt,” Corona answered thoughtfully, for she saw that there was some objection to the scheme in his own mind.

“I have learned a great deal,” he continued, “and we have much more, capital than we had.  Besides, I suppose you would lend me a few thousands if we needed them, would you not, mother?”

“Certainly, my dear.  You shall not be hampered by want of money.”

“And then, it is possible that we might make something like a fortune in a short time.  It would be a great satisfaction.  But then, too—­” He stopped.

“What then?” asked Corona, smiling.

“Things may turn out differently.  Though I have been successful this time, I am much more inclined to believe that San Giacinto was right than I was before I began.  All this movement does not rest on a solid basis.”

A financier of thirty years’ standing could not have made the statement more impressively, and Orsino was conscious that he was assuming an elderly tone.  He laughed the next moment.

“That is a stock phrase, mother,” he continued.  “But it means something.  Everything is not what it should be.  If the demand were as great as people say it is, there would not be half a dozen houses—­better houses than ours—­unsold in our street.  That is why I am afraid of a big contract.  I might lose all my money and some of yours.”

“It would not be of much consequence if you did,” answered Corona.  “But of course you will be guided by your own judgment, which, is much better than mine.  One must risk something, of course, but there is no use in going into danger.”

“Nevertheless, I should enjoy a big venture immensely.”

“There is no reason why you should not try one, when the moment comes, my dear.  I suppose that a few months will decide whether there is to be a crisis or not.  In the meantime you might take something moderate, neither so small as the last, nor so large as you would like.  You will get more experience, risk less and be better prepared for a crash if it comes, or to take advantage of anything favourable if business grows safer.”