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. The news of the approaching contest
spread like lightning and soon assumed the proportions of a society
event.
'Give me your arm and let us take a turn through the rooms,' said Elena
to Andrea Sperelli.
As soon as they were in the west room, away from the noisy crowd,
Andrea pressed her arm and murmured, 'Thanks.'
She leaned on him, stopping now and again to reply to some greeting. She
seemed fatigued, and was as pale as the pearls of her necklace. Each
gentleman addressed her with some hackneyed compliment.
'How stupid they all are! it makes me feel quite ill,' she said.
As they turned, she saw Sakumi was following them noiselessly, her
camellia in his button-hole, his eyes full of yearning not daring to
come nearer. She threw him a compassionate smile.
'Poor Sakumi!'
'Did you not notice him before?' asked Andrea.
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