Giovanni was visited by scores of acquaintances, whom he allowed to be admitted, and he talked with them cheerfully, in order to have it thoroughly known that he was not badly hurt.

Del Ferice's lodging was besieged by the same young gentlemen of leisure, who went directly from one to the other, anxious to get all the news in their power.

But Del Ferice's door was guarded jealously from intruders by his faithful Neapolitan servant--a fellow who knew more about his master than all the rest of Rome together, but who had such a dazzlingly brilliant talent for lying as to make him a safe repository for any secret committed to his keeping.

On the present occasion, however, he had small use for duplicity.

He sat all day long by the open door, for he had removed the bell-handle, lest the ringing should disturb his master.