ed as if he had just committed a
murder.

'What ails you?' she asked with tender solicitude.

He tried to smile. 'I never felt so profound an emotion,' he answered.

'I thought I should have died.'

He took the bouquet of flowers from one of the vases and handed it to
her and went with her towards the door, almost hurrying her departure,
for this woman's every look and gesture and word was a fresh
sword-thrust in his heart.

'Good-bye, dear heart!' said the hapless creature to him with
unspeakable tenderness. 'Think of me.'

CHAPTER VII

On the morning of the 20th of May, as Andrea Sperelli was walking along
the Corso in the radiant sunshine, he heard his name called from the
doorway of the Club.

On the pavement in front of it was a group of gentlemen amusing
themselves by watching the ladies pass and talking scandal. They were
Giulio Musellaro, Ludovico Barbarisi, the Duke of Grimiti, Galeazzo
Secinaro, Gino Bomminaco, and two or three others.

'Have you heard what happened last night?' Barbarisi asked him.

'No, what?'

'Don Manuel Ferres, the Minister for Guatemala----'

'Well?'

'Was caught red-handed cheating at cards.'

Sperelli retained his self-command, although some of the men were
looking at him with a certain malicious curiosity.

'How was that?'

'Galeazzo was there and was playing at the same table.'

Secinaro proceeded to give him the details.

Andrea did not affect indifference, he listened with a grave and
attentive air. At the end of the story, he said, 'I am extremely sorry
to hear it.'

After remaining a minute or two longer with the group, he bowed and
passed on.

'Which way are you going?' asked Secinaro.

'I am going home.'

'I will go with you part of the way.'

They went off together in the direction of the Via de' Condotti. The
Corso was one glittering stream of sunshine from the Piazzo di Venezia
to the Piazzo del Popolo. Ladies in light spring dress passed along by
the brilliant shop-windows--the Princess of Ferentino with Barbarella
Viti under one big lace parasol; Bianca Dolcebuono; Leonetto Lanza's
young wife.

'Do you know this man--this Ferres?' asked Galeazzo of Andrea, who had
not spoken as yet.

'Yes, I met him last year at Schifanoja, at my cousin Ateleta's. The
wife is a great friend of Francesca's. That is why the affair annoys me
so much. We must see that it is hushed up as much as possible. You will
be doing me the greatest favour if yo