u will help me about it.'

Galeazzo promised his assistance with the most cordial alacrity.

'I think,' said he, 'that the worst of the scandal might be avoided if
the Minister sends in his resignation to his Government without a
moment's delay. That is what the President of the Club advised, but
Ferres refused last night. He blustered and did the insulted. And yet
the proofs were there, as clear as daylight. He will have to be
persuaded.'

They continued on the subject as they walked along. Sperelli was
grateful to Secinaro for his assistance, and the intimate tone of the
conversation predisposed Secinaro to friendly confidences.

At the corner of the Via de' Condotti, they caught sight of Lady
Heathfield strolling along the left side of the street past the Japanese
shop-windows, with her undulating, rhythmic, captivating walk.

'Ah--Donna Elena,' said Galeazzo.

Both the men watched her, and both felt the glamour of that rhythmic
gait.

When they came up to her, they both bowed but passed on. They no longer
saw her, but she saw them; and for Andrea it was a form of torture to
have to walk beside a rival under the gaze of the woman he desired, and
feel that those piercing eyes were perhaps taking a delight in weighing
the merits of both men. He compared himself with Secinaro.

Galeazzo was of the bovine type, a Lucius Verus with golden hair and
blue eyes; while amid the magnificent abundance of his golden beard
shone a full red mouth, handsome, but without the slightest expression.
He was tall, square-shouldered and strong, with an air of elegance that
was not exactly refined, but easy and unaffected.

'Well?' Sperelli asked, goaded on by a sort of madness. 'Are matters
going on favourably?'

He knew he might adopt this tone with a man of this sort.

Galeazzo turned and looked at him half surprised, half suspicious. He
certainly did not expect such a question from him, and still less the
airy and perfectly calm tone in which the question was uttered.

'Ah, the time that siege of mine has lasted!' groaned the bearded
prince. 'Ages simply--I have tried every kind of manoeuvre but always
without success. I always came too late, some other fellow had always
been before me in storming the citadel. But I never lost heart. I was
convinced that sooner or later my turn would come. _Attendre pour
atteindre._ And sure enough----'

'Well?'

'Lady Heathfield is kinder to me than the Duchess of Scerni. I shall
have