His lips trembled, and he with difficulty restrained the burning words that rose to them.
The carriage was standing at the foot of the great stairway; a footman held open the door.
'To Madame Van Hueffel's,' said the duchess to him, while Andrea helped her in.
The man left the door and returned to his seat beside the coachman.

The horses stamped, striking out sparks from the stones.
'Take care!' cried Elena, holding out her hand to the young man.

Her eyes and her diamonds flashed through the gloom.
'Oh, to be in there with her in the shadow--to press my lips to her satin neck under the perfumed fur of her mantle!' 'Take me with you!' he would like to have cried.
But the horses plunged.

'Oh, take care!' Elena repeated.
He kissed her hand--pressing his lips to it as if to leave the mark of his burning passion.

He closed the door and the carriage rolled rapidly away under the porch, and out to the Forum.
And thus ended Andrea Sperelli's first meeting with the Duchess of Scerni..