Orsino was surprised to find that Ugo was out of town.  Having made an appointment, he ought at least to have sent word to the Palazzo Saracinesca of his departure.  He had indeed left a message for Orsino, which was correctly delivered, to the effect that he would return in twenty-four hours, and requesting him to postpone the interview until the following afternoon.  In Orsino’s humour this was not altogether pleasant.  The young man felt little suspense indeed, for he knew how matters must turn out, and that he should be saddled with another contract.  But he found it hard to wait with equanimity, now that he had made up his mind to the worst, and he resented Del Ferice’s rudeness in not giving a civil warning of his intended journey.

The day passed somehow, at last, and towards evening Orsino received a telegram from Ugo, full of excuses, but begging to put off the meeting two days longer.  The dispatch was from Naples whither Del Ferice often went on business.

It was almost unbearable and yet it must be borne.  Orsino spent his time in roaming about the less frequented parts of the city, trying to make new plans for the future which was already planned for him, doing his best to follow out a distinct line of thought, if only to distract his own attention.  He could not even write to Maria Consuelo, for he felt that he had said all there was to be said, in his last long letter.

On the morning of the fourth day he went to the bank again.  Del Ferice was there and greeted him warmly, interweaving his phrases with excuses for his absence.

“You will forgive me, I am sure,” he said, “though I have put you to very great inconvenience.  The case was urgent and I could not leave it in the hands of others.  Of course you could have settled the business with another of the directors, but I think—­indeed, I know—­that you prefer only to see me in these matters.  We have worked together so long now, that we understand each other with half a word.  Really, I am very sorry to have kept you waiting so long!”

“It is of no importance,” answered Orsino coolly.  “Pray do not speak of it.”

“Of importance—­no—­perhaps not.  That is, as you could not lose by it, it was not of financial importance.  But when I have made an engagement, I like to keep it.  In business, so much depends upon keeping small engagements—­and they may mean quite as much in the relations of society.  However, as you are so kind, we will not speak of it again.  I have made my excuses and you have accepted them.  Let that end the matter.  To business, now, Don Orsino—­to business!”

Orsino fancied that Del Ferice’s manner was not quite natural.  He was generally more quiet.  His rather watery blue eyes did not usually look so wide awake, his fat white hands were not commonly so active in their gestures.  Altogether he seemed more nervous, and at the same time better pleased with himself and with life than usual.  Orsino wondered what had happened.  He had perhaps made some very successful stroke in his affairs during the three days he had spent in Naples.