She waved a huge fan of red feathers hastily to and fro as she spoke.
'Nini is at Madame Van Hueffel's this evening.' 'I am going there later on for a little while, so I shall see her,' answered the Duchess.
'Oh, Ugenta,' said the Princess turning to Andrea, 'I was looking for you to remind you of our appointment.

To-morrow is Thursday and Cardinal Immenraet's sale begins at twelve.

Will you fetch me at one ?' 'I shall not fail, Princess.' 'I simply must have that rock crystal.' 'Then you must be prepared for competition.' 'From whom ?' 'My cousin for one.' 'And who else ?' 'From me,' said Elena.
'You ?--Well, we shall see.' Several of the gentlemen asked for further enlightenment.
'It is a contest between ladies of the 19th century for a rock crystal vase which belonged to Niccolo Niccoli,' Andrea explained with solemnity; 'a vase, on which is engraved the Trojan Anchises untying one of the sandals of Venus Aphrodite.

The entertainment will be given gratis, at one o'clock to-morrow afternoon, in the Public Sale-rooms of the Via Sistina.

Contending parties--the Princess of Ferentino, the Duchess of Scerni and the Marchesa d'Ateleta.' Everybody laughed, and Grimiti asked, 'Is betting permitted ?' 'The odds! The odds!' yelled Don Filippo del Monte, imitating the strident voice of the bookmaker Stubbs.
The Princess gave him an admonitory tap on the arm with her red fan, but the joke seemed to amuse them hugely and the betting began at once.
Hearing the bursts of laughter, other ladies and gentlemen joined the group in order to share the fun.