starred with
diamonds, embroidered with pearls, covered with flowers, and in nearly
every coiffure glittered those marvellous hereditary gems for which the
Roman nobility are so much envied.

'Her Excellency the Princess of Ferentino!'

'His Excellency the Duke of Grimiti!'

The guests formed themselves in various groups, the rallying points of
gossip and of flirtation. The chief group, composed exclusively of men,
was in the vicinity of the piano, gathered round the Duchess of Scerni,
who had risen to her feet, the better to hold her own against her
besiegers. The Princess of Ferentino came over to greet her friend with
a reproach.

'Why did you not come to Nini Santamarta's to-day? We all expected you.'

She was tall and thin with extraordinary green eyes sunk deep in their
shadowy sockets. Her dress was black, the bodice open in a point back
and front, and in her hair, which was _blond cendre_, she wore a great
diamond crescent like Diana. She waved a huge fan of red feathers
hastily to and fro as she spoke.

'Nini is at Madame Van Hueffel's this evening.'

'I am going there later on for a little while, so I shall see her,'
answered the Duchess.

'Oh, Ugenta,' said the Princess turning to Andrea, 'I was looking for
you to remind you of our appointment. To-morrow is Thursday and Cardinal
Immenraet's sale begins at twelve. Will you fetch me at one?'

'I shall not fail, Princess.'

'I simply must have that rock crystal.'

'Then you must be prepared for competition.'

'From whom?'

'My cousin for one.'

'And who else?'

'From me,' said Elena.

'You?--Well, we shall see.'

Several of the gentlemen asked for further enlightenment.

'It is a contest between ladies of the 19th century for a rock crystal
vase which belonged to Niccolo Niccoli,' Andrea explained with
solemnity; 'a vase, on which is engraved the Trojan Anchises untying one
of the sandals of Venus Aphrodite. The entertainment will be given
gratis, at one o'clock to-morrow afternoon, in the Public Sale-rooms of
the Via Sistina. Contending parties--the Princess of Ferentino, the
Duchess of Scerni and the Marchesa d'Ateleta.'

Everybody laughed, and Grimiti asked, 'Is betting permitted?'

'The odds! The odds!' yelled Don Filippo del Monte, imitating the
strident voice of the bookmaker Stubbs.

The Princess gave him an admonitory tap on the arm with her red fan, but
the joke seemed to amuse them hugely and the betting began at once.
Hear