Astrardente had anticipated the death of Casalverde, and was not surprised.

But he was not without human feeling, and showed a becoming regret at the sad end of a man he had been accustomed to see so frequently.
"How was it ?" he asked.
"A simple 'un, deux,' tierce and carte at the first bout.

Spicca is as quick as lightning.

Come away from this crowd," added Valdarno, in a low voice, "and I will tell you all about it." In spite of his sorrow at his friend's death, Valdarno felt a certain sense of importance at being able to tell the story to Astrardente.
Valdarno was vain in a small way, though his vanity was to that of the old Duca as the humble violet to the full-blown cabbage-rose.

Astrardente enjoyed a considerable importance in society as the husband of Corona, and was an object of especial interest to Valdarno, who supported the incredible theory of Corona's devotion to the old man.