'Oui! Le papillon s'est envolé—Oui! Ah! ah! ah! ah!'
Andrea looked at his watch.
'Two o'clock already! Excuse me, Marquis, but I must go.'
He left the window and went over to the ladies.
'Will you excuse me, Princess, I have a consultation at two with the veterinary surgeons at my stables?'
He took leave in a great hurry. Elena gave him the tips of her fingers, Barbarella presented him with fondant, saying—'Give it to poor Mallecho with my love.'
Ludovico offered to accompany him.
'No, no—stay where you are.'
He bowed and left—flew down the stairs like lightning and jumped into his carriage, shouting to the coachman—
'To the Pincio—quick!'