"Go and tell her that she has made a mistake, that she cannot possibly be in earnest, but that if she does not feel that she can marry you in a fortnight, she can put off the wedding till the autumn. It is quite simple. It has all been rather sudden, from the first, and it is much better that the engagement should go on a little longer."
"That is reasonable," Guido answered, growing calmer every moment. "I wish I could go to her at once."
"I suppose you cannot," said Lamberti, looking at him rather curiously.
He remembered that he had once dragged himself five miles with a bad spear-wound in his leg, to take news to a handful of men in danger, but he supposed that Guido was differently organised. He did not like him the less.
"No!" Guido answered. "The fever makes me so giddy that I can hardly stand."
He put out his hand for the tumbler on the table, but it was empty.
"Lamberti!" he said.
"Yes, I will get you some water at once," the other answered, rising to his feet.
"No," Guido said. "Never mind that, I will ring presently. Will you do something for me?"
"Of course."