Nino was thoroughly frightened, for he knew that discovery portended the loss of everything most dear to him.

No more lessons with Hedwig, no more parties to the Pantheon, no more peace, no more anything.

He wrung his fingers together and breathed hard.
"Ah, signora!" he found voice to exclaim, "I am sure you cannot believe it possible--" "Why not, Signor Cardegna ?" asked the baroness, looking up at him from under her half-closed lids with a mocking glance.

"Why not?
Did you not tell me where you lived?
And does not the whole neighbourhood know that you are no other than Giovanni Cardegna, commonly called Nino, who is to make his _debut_ in the Carnival season ?" "Dio mio!" ejaculated Nino in a hoarse voice, realising that he was entirely found out, and that nothing could save him.

He paced the room in an agony of despair, and his square face was as white as a sheet.
The baroness sat watching him with a smile on her lips, amused at the tempest she had created, and pretending to know much more than she did.