But Elena remained perfectly serious.

Was she listening, or was she thinking of something else?
Did she accept that kind of speech, or was she, by her gravity, amusing herself at his expense?
Did she intend assisting him in the scheme of seduction he had begun with so much care, or was she going to shut herself up in indifference and silence?
In short, was she or was she not the sort of woman to succumb to his attack?
Perplexed, disconcerted, Andrea examined the mystery from all sides.

Most men, especially those who adopt bold methods of warfare, are well acquainted with this perplexity which certain women excite by their silence.
A servant threw open the great doors leading to the dining-room.
The Marchesa took the arm of Don Filippo del Monte and led the way.
'Come,' said Elena, and it seemed to Andrea that she leaned upon his arm with a certain abandon--or was it merely an illusion of his desire ?--perhaps.

He continued in doubt and suspense, but every moment that passed drew him deeper within the sweet enchantment, and with every instant he became more desperately anxious to read the mystery of this woman's heart.
'Here, cousin,' said Francesca, pointing him to a place at one end of the oval table, between the Baron d'Isola and the Duchess of Scerni with the Cavaliere Sakumi as his _vis-a-vis_.

Sakumi sat between the Baroness d'Isola and Filippo del Monte.