s in mortification and wounded vanity, and
seemed hesitating what to do next, when the marquis approached him with
frigid courtesy and appeared to offer him some suggestions in a low
tone of voice--for after a few minutes' converse, Ferrari suddenly
turned on his heel and abruptly left the room without another word or
look. At the same instant I touched Vincenzo, who, obedient to his
orders, had remained an impassive but evidently astonished spectator of
all that had passed, and whispered--"Follow that man and do not let him
see you." He obeyed so instantly that the door had scarcely closed upon
Ferrari when Vincenzo had also disappeared. The Marquis D'Avencourt now
came up to me.

"Your opponent has gone to find two seconds," he said. "As you
perceived, no one here would or could support him. It is a most
unfortunate affair."

"Most unfortunate," chorused De Hamal, who, though not in it, appeared
thoroughly to enjoy it.

"For my part," said the Duke di Marina, "I wonder how our noble friend
could be so lenient with such a young puppy. His conceit is
insufferable!"

Others around me made similar remarks, and were evidently anxious to
show how entirely they were on my side. I however remained silent, lest
they should see how gratified I was at the success of my scheme. The
marquis addressed me again:

"While awaiting the other seconds, who are to find us here," he said,
with a glance at his watch, "Freccia and I have arranged a few
preliminaries. It is now nearly midnight. We propose that the affair
should come off in the morning at six precisely. Will that suit you?"

I bowed.

"As the insulted party you have the choice of weapons. Shall we say--"

"Pistols," I replied briefly.

"A la bonne heure! Then, suppose we fix upon the plot of open ground
just behind the hill to the left of the Casa Ghirlande--between that
and the Villa Romani--it is quiet and secluded, and there will be no
fear of interruption."

I bowed again.

"Thus it stands," continued the marquis, affably--"the hour of six--the
weapons pistols--the paces to be decided hereafter when the other
seconds arrive."

I professed myself entirely satisfied with these arrangements, and
shook hands with my amiable coadjutor. I then looked round at the rest
of the assembled company with a smile at their troubled faces.

"Gentlemen," I said, "our feast has broken up in a rather disagreeable
manner--and I am sorry for it, the more especially as it comp