The old dandy was white with emotion; Valdarno felt that he was enjoying his revenge.
"A glass of cognac, Duke ?" he said, as the waiter came up.

Astrardente nodded, and there was silence while the man brought the cordial.

The Duca lived by an invariable rule, seeking to balance the follies of his youth by excessive care in his old age; it was long, indeed, since he had taken a glass of brandy in the morning.

He swallowed it quickly, and the stimulant produced its effect immediately; he readjusted his eyeglass, and faced Valdarno sternly.
"And now," he said, "that we are at our ease, may I inquire what the devil you mean by your insinuations about my wife ?" "Oh," replied Valdarno, affecting great indifference, "I only say what everybody says.

There is no offence to the Duchessa." "I should suppose not, indeed.