On
these conditions is the grace accorded?'
'No.'
But she smiled nevertheless, flattered by this exaltation of the regal
aspect of her beauty, wherein she gloried. And Sperelli continued to
tempt her, always in a tone of banter or entreaty, but adding to the
seduction of his voice a gaze so subtle, so penetrating and disturbing
that, at length, Donna Ippolita, half offended and blushing faintly,
said to him--
'I will not have you look at me like that.'
Few persons besides themselves remained upon the stand. Ladies and
gentlemen strolled up and down across the grass, along the barrier, or
surrounded the victorious horse or the yelling bookmakers, under the
inconstant rays of the sun that came and went between the floating
archipelago of clouds.
'Let us go down,' she said, unaware of Giannetto Rutolo leaning with
watchful eyes upon the railing of the staircase.
As they passed him, Sperelli called back over his shoulder--
'Addio, Marchese--see you again soon. Our race is on directly.'
Rutolo bowed profoundly to Donna Ippolita, and a deep flush rose
suddenly to his face. He seemed to have caught a touch of derision in
Sperelli's greeting. Leaning on the railing, he followed the retreating
couple with hungry eyes. He was obviously suffering.
'Rutolo, be on your guard!' said the Contessa di Lucoli with a malicious
laugh as she passed down the stairs on the arm of Don Filippo del Monte.
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