Then she suddenly shivered, and her eyelids drooped as she leaned back in her chair.

Her fingers relaxed their tight hold upon her fan, and the thing fell rattling upon the floor of the box.
Old Astrardente, who had taken no notice of the pair, being annoyed at Giovanni's visit, and much interested in the proceedings of Madame Mayer in the box opposite, heard the noise, and stooped with considerable alacrity to pick up the fan which lay at his feet.
"You are not well, my love," he said quickly, as he observed his wife's unusual pallor.
"It is nothing; it will pass," she murmured, with a terrible effort.
Then, as though she had not said enough, she added, "There must be a draught here; I have a chill." Giovanni had sat like a statue, utterly overcome by the sense of his own folly and rashness, as well as by the shock of having so miserably failed to keep the secret he dreaded to reveal.

On hearing Corona's voice, he rose suddenly, as from a dream.
"Forgive me," he said hurriedly, "I have just remembered a most important engagement--" "Do not mention it," said Astrardente, sourly.

Giovanni bowed to the Duchessa and left the box.

She did not look at him as he went away.
"We had better go home, my angel," said the old man.