The giddy dance went on, and gayety was the mistress of the hour.  Carlton mingled in the dance, and even by good chance succeeded in gaining the hand of Florinda for a set.  Her uncle, fearing the displeasure of the duke, avoided any public opposition as we have before said, to the attentions of Carlton; consequently in public he enjoyed her society as one friend may enjoy that of another, while the world are by.  The hours flew by as hours only fly along the happy, until the time had nearly arrived for the guests to depart, when Carlton, coolly walking up to Petro, who stood in an exposed situation, said, in a tone not to be mistaken: 

“Signor Petro, follow me!”

“Si, Signor Americano,” was the prompt reply.

Both left the hall together, the friends of Petro alone understanding the probable design of the movement.  The two sought a secluded cafe in silence, and then settled the preliminaries for a meeting, or duel, on the following morning, in which Petro declared one of them should fall.

“I would have escaped this encounter for your sake as well as my own,” said Carlton, after the arrangements were concluded.  “I know very well that you have a reputation for being an expert swordsman, but I fear not.  Justice is stronger than art, and you will find it so, Signor Petro, on the morrow.”

“I do not wish to anticipate, Signor Americano, but I must advise thee to prepare for death on the morrow.”

“True, Signor Petro,” said Carlton, earnestly, “neither of us knows what the morrow may bring forth.”

“Signor,” said Petro, now in evident good humor at his anticipated success, “you should have chosen the pistol, to have placed yourself in any possibility on equal terms with me.”

“I can use either,” was the reply.

“Ay, as a child would use them.  What has thy profession to do with arms, that thou shouldst ever deign to know their use?  It is not yet too late-say, shall it be pistols?  You can yet choose,” said Petro, touched with that spirit of honor which would sometimes actuate him.

“I have already spoken on that point,” said Carlton.

“Very well, then, signor, with the sword.  But in that case, the game will possess but little interest, being all on one side.”

“To-morrow’s sun can speak more fittingly of these things than we can do to-night,” was Carlton’s reply.

“You bear yourself with assurance, signor.”

“We will not hold any controversy, Signor Petro.”

“Until to-morrow.”

“At the appointed time I shall be ready.”

“Be sure I shall expect you.”

“We understand each other on that point.”

“Hold, will you bring weapons, or shall I procure them?”

“Our seconds can arrange for us.”

“True.”