Such affairs as the encounter between Giovanni and Del Ferice were very rare in Rome.

There were many duels fought; but, as a general rule, they were not very serious, and the first slight wound decided the matter in hand to the satisfaction of both parties.

But here there had been a fight for life and death.

One of the combatants had received two such wounds as would have been sufficient to terminate an ordinary meeting, and the other was lying at death's door stabbed through the throat.

Society was frantic with excitement.