"Is this girl the only fish in the sea, then, that you should be so set on her? Let her go, Egidio! You told me only a few weeks since that you had no thought of marrying, that women were nothing to you. Let the girl go, she is not extraordinarily beautiful, she is not rich," (Egidio has not mentioned Ragna's expectations) "after all is said and done she is a stranger—believe me, it will be far better for all concerned if you put her out of your mind."
Egidio looked at his friend suspiciously.
"If you were not already married, I should think—"
Ferrati interrupted him with a laugh.
"No, my friend, personally it is nothing to me, it is for your own sake and for the sake of the girl herself that I ask you to give up the idea."
"Why?"
"I don't think it would make for happiness."
"But I do, Rico. I want the girl, she appeals to me, I—I love her."
"Well, wait then, there is no reason for precipitating things."
"But she is going away, I shall lose my chance."