“You were with her, then?”
“I was.”
“And what did you say to her?”
“Oh, we talked of the illustrious dead of whom
that magnificent ruin is a glorious monument!”
“Upon my word,” cried Albert, “you
must have been a very entertaining companion alone,
or all but alone, with a beautiful woman in such a
place of sentiment as the Colosseum, and yet to find
nothing better a talk about than the dead! All
I can say is, if ever I should get such a chance,
the living should be my theme.”
“And you will probably find your theme ill-chosen.”
“But,” said Albert, breaking in upon his
discourse, “never mind the past; let us only
remember the present. Are you not going to keep
your promise of introducing me to the fair subject
of our remarks?”
“Certainly, directly the curtain falls on the
stage.”
“What a confounded time this first act takes.
I believe, on my soul, that they never mean to finish
it.”
“Oh, yes, they will; only listen to that charming
finale. How exquisitely Coselli sings his part.”
“But what an awkward, inelegant fellow he is.”
“Well, then, what do you say to La Specchia?
Did you ever see anything more perfect than her acting?”
“Why, you know, my dear fellow, when one has
been accustomed to Malibran and Sontag, such singers
as these don’t make the same impression on you
they perhaps do on others.”
“At least, you must admire Moriani’s style
and execution.”
“I never fancied men of his dark, ponderous
appearance singing with a voice like a woman’s.”
“My good friend,” said Franz, turning
to him, while Albert continued to point his glass
at every box in the theatre, “you seem determined
not to approve; you are really too difficult to please.”
The curtain at length fell on the performances, to
the infinite satisfaction of the Viscount of Morcerf,
who seized his hat, rapidly passed his fingers through
his hair, arranged his cravat and wristbands, and
signified to Franz that he was waiting for him to lead
the way. Franz, who had mutely interrogated the
countess, and received from her a gracious smile in
token that he would be welcome, sought not to retard
the gratification of Albert’s eager impatience,
but began at once the tour of the house, closely followed
by Albert, who availed himself of the few minutes
required to reach the opposite side of the theatre
to settle the height and smoothness of his collar,
and to arrange the lappets of his coat. This
important task was just completed as they arrived
at the countess’s box. At the knock, the
door was immediately opened, and the young man who
was seated beside the countess, in obedience to the
Italian custom, instantly rose and surrendered his
place to the strangers, who, in turn, would be expected
to retire upon the arrival of other visitors.
