midnight
She was reading this while Luigi delivered his burden ; which was , that in a subsequent duel , the slaughtering captain had killed little Leone Rufo , the gay and gallant boy , Carlo 's comrade , and her friend . Luigi laughed scornfully at his rival , and had edged away -- out of sight before he could be asked who had sent him . Beppo ignominiously confessed that he had not heard of this second duel . At midnight he was on horseback , bound for Milan , with a challenge to the captain from Carlo , who had a jealous fear that Luciano at Vercelli might have outstripped him . Carlo requested the captain to guarantee him an hour 's immunity in the city on a stated day , or to name any spot on the borders of Piedmont for the meeting . The challenge was sent with Countess Ammiani 's approbation and Laura 's . Vittoria submitted .