I.
“Well, what is your text to-night?” asked my host as he joined the group which had met as usual in the smoking-room.
“Oh,” I replied, “I have nothing left to preach about.”
“And I,” said the Marquis de G., who was looking through the evening paper, “don’t mean to let you off so easily. Here is a piece of news, which is very interesting in connection with our nightly symposia.”
“Read it! Read it!” exclaimed a chorus of voices.
The Marquis read out the following paragraph:—
‘An unfortunate encounter recently took place in the Papal States between the young Marquis de Monte C. and the Chevalier d’A. The duel arose out of a very singular incident. The Chevalier d’A., a Neapolitan, has the reputation of a jettatore, that is to say he is supposed to have the evil eye. The Marquis de Monte C., happening to meet him in a drawing-room, took up without thinking a little coral hand, a charm that he was wearing on his watch-chain, and pointed it at the Chevalier d’A. as he was passing close by him. The Chevalier who knew what people thought of him, noticed the movement and called the young Marquis out. They met the following morning, and the unfortunate Marquis received a sword thrust in the chest and was killed outright. The Chevalier, besides being a very expert swordsman, is said to have acquired a knowledge of several secret thrusts.’