ll. First, there is the Duca Filippo Marina."

"By Heaven!" interrupted Guido. "An absolute gentleman, who by his
manner seems to challenge the universe to disprove his dignity! Can he
unbend so far as to partake of food in public? My dear conte, you
should have asked him that question!"

"Then," I went on, not heeding this interruption, "Signor Fraschetti
and the Marchese Giulano."

"Giulano drinks deep'." laughed Ferrari, "and should he mix his wines,
you will find him ready to stab all the waiters before the dinner is
half over."

"In mixing wines," I returned, coolly, "he will but imitate your
example, caro mio."

"Ah, but I can stand it!" he said. "He cannot! Few Neapolitans are like
me!"

I watched him narrowly, and went on with the list of my invited guests.

"After these, comes the Capitano Luigi Freccia."

"What! the raging fire-eater?" exclaimed Guido. "He who at every second
word raps out a pagan or Christian oath, and cannot for his life tell
any difference between the two!"

"And the illustrious gentleman Crispiano Dulci and Antonio Biscardi,
artists like yourself," I continued.

He frowned slightly--then smiled.

"I wish them good appetites! Time was when I envied their skill--now I
can afford to be generous. They are welcome to the whole field of art
as far as I am concerned. I have said farewell to the brush and
palette--I shall never paint again."

True enough! I thought, eying the shapely white hand with which he just
then stroked his dark mustache; the same hand on which my family
diamond ring glittered like a star. He looked up suddenly.

"Go on, conte I am all impatience. Who comes next?"

"More fire-eaters, I suppose you will call them," I answered, "and
French fire-eaters, too. Monsieur le Marquis D'Avencourt, and le beau
Capitaine Eugene de Hamal."

Ferrari looked astonished. "Per Bacco!" he exclaimed. "Two noted Paris
duelists! Why--what need have you of such valorous associates? I
confess your choice surprises me."

"I understood them to be YOUR friends," I said, composedly. "If you
remember, YOU introduced me to them. I know nothing of the gentlemen
beyond that they appear to be pleasant fellows and good talkers. As for
their reputed skill I am inclined to set that down to a mere rumor, at
any rate, my dinner-table will scarcely provide a field for the display
of swordsmanship."

Guido laughed. "Well, no! but these fellows would like to make it
one--why, they will pick a