I was so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much.

It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend. In this respect I did not differ from him materially - I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could. In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity, to practice imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires. Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. He had a weak point - this Fortunato - although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation. It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. At length I would be avenged this was a point definitively settled - but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat.

The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge.

Drunken poet