Jeanne threw the paper aside, and was out of the room in a flash.

Noemi related hurriedly, standing the while--for she was anxious to leave again on account of the lateness of the hour--that while Giovanni and Maria were at the Grand Hotel, Professor Mayda, just back from Naples, had come to their house, perfectly furious, and demanding an explanation of Benedetto's disappearance from his house.

Then she had told him everything, and Mayda had gone directly to Via della Polveriera.

There he had found Maria, di Leyni, the Senator, and the doctor, whose opinion was that Benedetto could be moved.

A discussion had arisen between Mayda and the doctor on this point, to which Mayda had finally put an end by saying: "Well, rather than leave him here, I will carry him away again myself!" In an hour's time he was back again with a carriage full of pillows and rugs, and had indeed carried him off.