The Count caught a glimpse of a tall and graceful figure, a scintillation of diamonds in dark hair and a slender foot on the step.

As he went upstairs he had a back view of the lady.
She ascended in front of him with a slow and rhythmic movement; her cloak, lined with fur as white as swan's-down, was unclasped at the throat, and slipping back, revealed her shoulders, pale as polished ivory, the shoulder-blades disappearing into the lace of the corsage with an indescribably soft and fleeting curve as of wings.

The neck rose slender and round, and the hair, twisted into a great knot on the crown of her head, was held in place by jewelled pins.
The harmonious gait of this unknown lady gave Andrea such sincere pleasure that he stopped a moment on the first landing to watch her.

Her long train swept rustling over the stairs; behind her came a servant, not immediately in the wake of his mistress on the red carpet, but at the side along the wall with irreproachable gravity.

The absurd contrast between the magnificent creature and the automaton following her brought a smile to Andrea's lips.
In the anteroom while the servant was relieving her of her cloak, the lady cast a rapid glance at the young man who entered.
The servant announced--'Her Excellency the Duchess of Scerni!' and immediately afterwards--'Count Sperelli-Fieschi d'Ugenta!' It pleased Andrea that his name should be coupled so closely with that of the lady in question.
In the drawing-room were already assembled the Marchese and Marchesa d'Ateleta, the Baron and Baroness d'Isola and Don Filippo del Monte.