The Saracinesca were one of the very few Roman families in which there is a tradition in favour of non-interference with the action of children already of age.  The consequence was that although the old Prince, Giovanni and his wife, all three felt considerable anxiety, they did nothing to hamper Orsino’s action, beyond an occasionally repeated warning to be careful.  That his occupation was distasteful to them, they did not conceal, but he met their expressions of opinion with perfect equanimity and outward good humour, even when his mother, once his staunch ally, openly advised him to give up business and travel for a year.  Their prejudice was certainly not unnatural, and had been strengthened by the perusal of the unsavoury details published by the papers at each new bankruptcy during the year.  But they found Orsino now always the same, always quiet, good-humoured and firm in his projects.

Andrea Contini had not been very exact in his calculation of the date at which the last door and the last window would be placed in the last of the houses which he and Orsino had undertaken to build.  The disturbance in business might account for the delay.  At all events it was late in April of the following year before the work was completed.  Then Orsino went to Del Ferice.

“Of course,” he said, maintaining the appearance of calm which had now become habitual with him, “I cannot expect to pay what I owe the bank, unless I can effect a sale of these buildings.  You have known that, all along, as well as I. The question is, can they be sold?”

“You have no applicant, then?” Del Ferice looked grave and somewhat surprised.

“No.  We have received no offer.”

“You owe the bank a very large sum on these buildings, Don Orsino.”

“Secured by mortgages on them,” answered the young man quietly, but preparing for trouble.

“Just so.  Secured by mortgages.  But if the bank should foreclose within the next few months, and if the buildings do not realize the amount secured, Contini and Company are liable for the difference.”

“I know that.”

“And the market is very bad, Don Orsino, and shows no signs of improvement.”

“On the other hand the houses are finished, habitable, and can be let immediately.”

“They are certainly finished.  You must be aware that the bank has continued to advance the sums necessary for two reasons.  Firstly, because an expensive but habitable dwelling is better than a cheap one with no roof.  Secondly, because in doing business with Andrea Contini and Company we have been dealing with the only really honest and economical firm in Rome.”

Orsino smiled vaguely, but said nothing.  He had not much faith in Del Ferice’s flattery.

“But that,” continued the latter, “does not dispense us from the necessity of realising what is owing to us—­I mean the bank—­either in money, or in an equivalent—­or in an equivalent,” he repeated, thoughtfully rolling a big silver pencil case backward and forward upon the table under his fat white hand.