And he began reviewing all the advantages that would fall to him from this second victory: the prestige of his success, the fame of his prowess, Ippolita's kisses, new loves, new pleasures, the gratification of new whims.
Presently, however, he bethought him of the necessary precautions for insuring his bodily vigour.

He went to bed and slept soundly till he was awakened by the arrival of his seconds; took his customary shower-bath; had a strip of linoleum laid down and invited Santa Margherita and then Barbarisi to exchange a few passes with him, during which he executed with precision several stop thrusts.
'In capital form!' the Baron congratulated him.
Sperelli then took two cups of tea and some biscuits, donned a very easy pair of trousers, comfortable shoes with low heels and a very slightly starched shirt; he prepared his gloves by moistening the palm slightly and rubbing in powdered resin; arranged a leather strap for fastening the guard to his wrist; examined the blade and the point of both rapiers; omitted no precaution, no detail.
When all was to his satisfaction--'Let us be going now,' he said; 'better be on the ground before the others.

What about the doctor ?' 'He will be waiting for us there.' On the way down stairs they met Grimiti, who had come on behalf of the Marchesa d'Ateleta.
'I shall follow you to the Villa and then bring the news as quickly as possible to Francesca,' said he.
They all went down together.

The Duke jumped into his buggy and the others entered a closed carriage.

Andrea made no show of indifference or good spirits--to make jokes before engaging in a serious duel seemed to him execrably bad taste--but he was perfectly calm.