"Come in and breakfast with us," said the old Prince to Spicca, as they reached the Palazzo Saracinesca. "Thank you, no," answered the melancholy man. "I have much to do, as I shall go to Paris to-morrow morning by the ten o'clock train. Can I do anything for you there? I shall be absent some months." "I thought you were going to fight to-morrow," objected the Prince. "Exactly. It will be convenient for me to leave the country immediately afterwards." The old man shuddered. With all his fierce blood and headstrong passion, he could not comprehend the fearful calm of this strange man, whose skill was such that he regarded his adversary's death as a matter of course whenever he so pleased. As for Giovanni, he was still so angry that he cared little for the issue of the second duel. "I am sincerely grateful for your kind offices," he said, as Spicca took leave of him. "You shall be amply revenged of the two attempts to murder you," said Spicca, quietly; and so, having shaken hands with all, he again entered the carriage. It was the last they saw of him for a long time. He faithfully fulfilled his programme. He met Casalverde on the following morning at seven o'clock, and at precisely a quarter past, he left him dead on the field. He breakfasted with his seconds at half-past eight, and left Rome with them for Paris at ten o'clock. He had selected two French officers who were about to return to their home, in order not to inconvenience any of his friends by obliging them to leave the country; which showed that, even in moments of great excitement, Count Spicca was thoughtful of others. When the surgeon had dressed Giovanni's wounds, he left the father and son together. Giovanni lay upon a couch in his own sitting-room, eating his breakfast as best he could with one hand. The old Prince paced the floor, commenting from time to time upon the events of the morning. "It is just as well that you did not kill him, Giovanni," he remarked; "it would have been a nuisance to have been obliged to go away just now." Giovanni did not answer. "Of course, duelling is a great sin, and is strictly forbidden by our religion," said the Prince suddenly. "But then--" "Precisely," returned Giovanni. "We nevertheless cannot always help ourselves." "I was going to say," continued his father, "that it is, of course, very wicked, and if one is killed in a duel, one probably goes straight into hell. But then--it was worth something to see how you sent that fellow's foil flying through the window!" "It is a very simple trick. If you will take a foil, I will teach it to you." "Presently, presently; when you have finished your breakfast. Tell me, why did you say, 'more broken glass'?" Giovanni bit his lip, remembering his imprudence. "I hardly know. I believe it suggested something to my mind. One says all sorts of foolish things in moments of excitement."