Yet she could not speak out what her pride prompted her to say, because she pitied Giovanni a little, and was willing to think for a moment that it was only compassion she felt, lest she should feel that she must send him away.
But Giovanni sat beside her, and knew that the spell was working upon him, and that there was no salvation.

He had taken her unawares, though he hardly knew it, when she first entered, and he asked her suddenly for a dance.

He had wondered vaguely why she had so freely consented; but, in the wild delight of being by her side, he completely lost all hold upon himself, and yielded to the exquisite charm of her presence, as a man who has struggled for a moment against a powerful opiate sinks under its influence, and involuntarily acknowledges his weakness.

Strong as he was, his strength was all gone, and he knew not where he should find it.
"You will have to make her some further apology," said Corona, as Madame Mayer's red train disappeared through the doorway at the other end of the room.
"Of course--I must do something about it," said Giovanni, absently.
"After all, I do not wonder--it is amazing that I should have recognised her at all.

I should forget anything to-night, except that I am to dance with you." The Duchessa looked away, and fanned herself slowly; but she sighed, and checked the deep-drawn breath as by a great effort.