'In capital form!' the Baron congratulated him.
Sperelli then took two cups of tea and some biscuits, donned a very easy
pair of trousers, comfortable shoes with low heels and a very slightly
starched shirt; he prepared his gloves by moistening the palm slightly
and rubbing in powdered resin; arranged a leather strap for fastening
the guard to his wrist; examined the blade and the point of both
rapiers; omitted no precaution, no detail.
When all was to his satisfaction--'Let us be going now,' he said;
'better be on the ground before the others. What about the doctor?'
'He will be waiting for us there.'
On the way down stairs they met Grimiti, who had come on behalf of the
Marchesa d'Ateleta.
'I shall follow you to the Villa and then bring the news as quickly as
possible to Francesca,' said he.
They all went down together. The Duke jumped into his buggy and the
others entered a closed carriage. Andrea made no show of indifference or
good spirits--to make jokes before engaging in a serious duel seemed to
him execrably bad taste--but he was perfectly calm. He smoked and
listened composedly to Santa Margherita and Barbarisi, who were
discussing--apropos of a recent case in France--whether it was
legitimate or not to use the left hand against an adversary. Now and
again, he leaned forward to look out of the window.
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