"You are as wise as any man can be who is not in love," he said, looking at me with his great eyes. "But love is the best counsellor."
"What is your idea?" I asked, somewhat pacified.
"You say they ride together every day. Yes—very good. The contessina will not ride to-day, partly because she will be worn out with fatigue from last night's interview, and partly because she will make an effort to discover whether I have arrived to-day or not. You can count on that."
"I imagine so."
"Very well," he continued; "in that case, one or two things will happen: either the count will go out alone, or they will all stay at home."
"Why will Benoni not go out with the count?"
"Because Benoni will hope to see Hedwig alone if he stays at home, and the count will be very glad to give him the opportunity."
"I think you are right, Nino. You are not so stupid as I thought."
"In war," continued the boy, "a general gains a great advantage by separating his adversary's forces. If the count goes out alone, I will present myself to him in the road, and tell him what I want."
"Now you are foolish again. You should, on the contrary, enter the house when the count is away, and take the signorina with you then and there. Before he could return you would be miles on the road to Rome."