Who would have ventured to utter the word that was searing Lorenzi's
soul, as he stood at the table with his arm still raised? Casanova, the
only one of the company who had remained seated, derived an involuntary
artistic pleasure from the contemplation of this fine, threatening
gesture, meaningless now, but seemingly petrified, as if the young man
had been transformed into a statue.

At length Olivo turned to him with a soothing air; the Ricardis, too,
drew near; and the Abbate appeared to be working himself up for a
speech. But a sort of shiver passed over Lorenzi's frame. Automatically
but insistently he silently indicated his rejection of any offers at
intervention. Then, with a polite inclination of the head, he quietly
left the room.

Casanova, who had meanwhile wrapped up the money in a silken kerchief,
instantly followed. Without looking at the others' faces, he could feel
that they were convinced it was his instant intention to do what they
had all the while been expecting, namely, to place his winnings at
Lorenzi's disposal.




CHAPTER EIGHT.


Casanova overtook Lorenzi in the chestnut avenue. Speaking lightly,
he said: "May I have the pleasure of accompanying you on your walk,
Lieutenant Lorenzi?"