He can control the current of the blood with his words, and although much of what he says is bosh, yet his hearer is satisfied, fulfilled. Carnival ends on the 5th of February, so each Thursday there is a Serata d' Onore of one of the actors. The first, and the only one for which prices were raised to a fourpence entrance fee instead of threepence was for the leading lady.

"I feel peaceful as old age," he quoted. But his eye falling on the white carnation which Giovanna, knowing her signorino was going in serata, had provided for his buttonhole, lines less grey came to his lips: "Neque tu choreas...." He fished for the half-forgotten words. "Donec virenti canities abest...."