She did not dance before the cotillon, she said; and she sat down in a high chair in the picture-gallery, while three or four men, among whom was Valdarno, sat and stood near her, doing their best to amuse her.

Others came, and some went away, but Corona did not move, and sat amongst her little court, glad to have the time pass in any way until the cotillon.

When Del Ferice had ascertained her position, he went about his business, which was manifold--dancing frequently, and making a point of speaking to every one in the room.

At the end of an hour, he joined the group of men around the Duchessa and took part in the conversation.
It was an easy matter to make the talk turn upon Giovanni Saracinesca.
Every one was more or less curious about the journey he had made, and especially about the cause of his absence.

Each of the men had something to say, and each, knowing the popular report that Giovanni was in love with Corona, said his say with as much wit as he could command.