XVIII


An hour later the waiter came in again to Sanin, and handed him
an old, soiled visiting-card, on which were the following words:
'Pantaleone Cippatola of Varese, court singer (_cantante di camera_)
to his Royal Highness the Duke of Modena'; and behind the waiter in
walked Pantaleone himself. He had changed his clothes from top to toe.
He had on a black frock coat, reddish with long wear, and a white
pique waistcoat, upon which a pinch-beck chain meandered playfully; a
heavy cornelian seal hung low down on to his narrow black trousers. In
his right hand he carried a black beaver hat, in his left two stout
chamois gloves; he had tied his cravat in a taller and broader bow
than ever, and had stuck into his starched shirt-front a pin with a
stone, a so-called 'cat's eye.' On his forefinger was displayed a
ring, consisting of two clasped hands with a burning heart between
them. A smell of garments long laid by, a smell of camphor and of musk
hung about the whole person of the old man; the anxious solemnity of
his deportment must have struck the most casual spectator! Sanin rose
to meet him.

'I am your second,' Pantaleone announced in French, and he bowed
bending his whole body forward, and turning out his toes like a
dancer. 'I have come for instructions. Do you want to fight to the
death?'

'Why to the death, my dear Signor Cippatola? I will not for any