He would have to leave the country for a while; but Giovanni once dead, it would be easy to make Donna Tullia believe they had fought on her account, and to derive all the advantage there was to be gained from posing before the world as her defender.
But though Del Ferice's rest was disturbed by the contemplation of his difficulties, he did not neglect any precaution which might save his strength for the morrow.

He lay down upon his bed, stretching himself at full length, and carefully keeping his right arm free, lest, by letting his weight fall upon it as he lay, he should benumb the muscles or stiffen the joints; from time to time he rubbed a little strengthening ointment upon his wrist, and he was careful that the light should not shine in his eyes and weary them.

At six o'clock his seconds appeared with the surgeon they had engaged, and the four men were soon driving rapidly down the Corso towards the gate.
So punctual were the two parties that they arrived simultaneously at the gate of the villa which had been selected for the encounter.

The old Prince took a key from his pocket and himself opened the great iron gate.
The carriages drove in, and the gates were closed by the astonished porter, who came running out as they creaked upon their hinges.

The light was already sufficient for the purpose of fencing, as the eight men descended simultaneously before the house.