When Astrardente left his wife's side, Donna Tullia pressed forward with her partner in the general confusion that followed upon the entrance of the tiger, and she managed to pass close to Corona.

She looked up suddenly with an air of surprise.
"What! not dancing, Duchessa ?" she asked.

"Has your partner gone home ?" With the look that accompanied the question, it was an insulting speech enough.

Had Donna Tullia seen old Astrardente close behind her, she would not have made it.

The old dandy was returning in triumph in possession of the little tiger-badge for Corona.