"And now tell me, my dear conte, what bacchanalians are coming to-night?
Per Dio, after all I am more in the humor for dinner than love-making!" I burst out laughing harshly.

"Of course! Every sensible man prefers good eating even to good women! Who are my guests you ask?
I believe you know them all.

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.