“What has that to do with the matter?  Why imagine anything so impossible?”

“After all—­perhaps it is more foolish to say, ’I advise you to do so and so,’ than to ask, ‘Why do you not do so and so?’ Advice is always disagreeable and the adviser is always more or less ridiculous.  Advice brings its own punishment.”

“Is that not cynical?” asked Orsino.

“No.  Why?  What is the worst thing you can do to your social enemy?  Prevail upon him to give you his counsel, act upon it—­it will of course turn out badly—­then say, “I feared this would happen, but as you advised me I did not like—­” and so on!  That is simple and always effectual.  Try it.”

“Not for worlds!”

“I did not mean with me,” answered Maria Consuelo with a laugh.

“No.  I am afraid there are other reasons which will prevent me from making a career for myself,” said Orsino thoughtfully.

Maria Consuelo saw by his face that the subject was a serious one with him, as she had already guessed that it must be, and one which would always interest him.  She therefore let it drop, keeping it in reserve in case the conversation flagged.

“I am going to see Madame Del Ferice to-morrow,” she observed, changing the subject.

“Do you think that is necessary?”

“Since I wish it!  I have not your reasons for avoiding her.”

“I offended you the other day, Madame, did I not?  You remember—­when I offered my services in a social way.”

“No—­you amused me,” answered Maria Consuelo coolly, and watching to see how he would take the rebuke.

But, young as Orsino was, he was a match for her in self-possession.

“I am very glad,” he answered without a trace of annoyance.  “I feared you were displeased.”

Maria Consuelo smiled again, and her momentary coldness vanished.  The answer delighted her, and did more to interest her in Orsino than fifty clever sayings could have done.  She resolved to push the question a little further.

“I will be frank,” she said.

“It is always best,” answered Orsino, beginning to suspect that something very tortuous was coming.  His disbelief in phrases of the kind, though originally artificial, was becoming profound.

“Yes, I will be quite frank,” she repeated.  “You do not wish me to know the Del Ferice and their set, and you do wish me to know the people you like.”

“Evidently.”

“Why should I not do as I please?”

She was clearly trying to entrap him into a foolish answer, and he grew more and more wary.

“It would be very strange if you did not,” answered Orsino without hesitation.

“Why, again?”

“Because you are absolutely free to make your own choice.”

“And if my choice does not meet with your approval?” she asked.

“What can I say, Madame?  I and my friends will be the losers, not you.”