Suddenly he was aware that his father was standing beside him and eyeing him curiously.
"What is the matter, Giovanni ?" inquired the old Prince.

"Why are you not dancing ?" "The fact is--" began Giovanni, and then stopped suddenly.

An idea struck him.

He went close to his father, and spoke in a low voice.
"The fact is, that I have just taken a man by the throat and otherwise insulted him, by calling him a dog.

The fellow seemed annoyed, and so I told him he might send to our house in an hour for an explanation.