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 quarrel for the mere lifting of an eyebrow.
And the rest of your company ?" "Are the inseparable brother sculptors Carlo and Francesco Respetti, Chevalier Mancini, scientist and man of letters, Luziano Salustri, poet and musician, and the fascinating Marchese Ippolito Gualdro, whose conversation, as you know, is more entrancing than the voice of Adelina Patti.

I have only to add," and I smiled half mockingly, "the name of Signor Guido Ferrari, true friend and loyal lover--and the party is complete." "Altro! Fifteen in all including yourself," said Ferrari, gayly, enumerating them on his fingers.

"Per la madre di Dio! With such a goodly company and a host who entertains en roi we shall pass a merry time of it.

And did you, amico, actually organize this banquet, merely to welcome back so unworthy a person as myself ?" "Solely and entirely for that reason," I replied.
He jumped up from his chair and clapped his two hands on my shoulders.
"A la bonne heure! But why, In the name of the saints or the devil, have you taken such a fancy to me ?" "Why have I taken such a fancy to you ?" I repeated, slowly.