We were all sitting in a circle round the Duchessa's chair that night, when the conversation chanced to turn upon this same Giovanni Saracinesca, a fire-eating fellow with a bad temper.

He had been away for some days; indeed he was last seen at the Apollo in your box, when they gave 'Norma'-- " "I remember," interrupted Astrardente.

The mention of that evening was but a random shot.

Valdarno had been in the club-box, and had seen Giovanni when he made his visit to the Astrardente; he had not seen him again till the Frangipani ball.
"Well, as I was saying, we spoke of Giovanni, and every one had something to say about his absence.

The Duchessa expressed her curiosity, and Del Ferice, who was with us, proposed calling him--he was at the other end of the room, you see--that he might answer for himself.