And then came the
consideration, that in all probability most of the great cities of
the peninsula had, by that time, made their arrangements for the
coming Carnival. Not impossible, too, that the "diva" herself might
be not disinclined to allow a certain period of such comparative
obscurity as an engagement at Ravenna would bring with it, to pass
after her exit from Milan under such circumstances, before re-
appearing on other boards where she would be equally in the eyes of
all Europe. But this ground of hope, though it may have been felt,
was never so much as alluded to in words, in Ravenna. In short,
Ravenna had determined to make the bold attempt. And Don Signor
Ercole Stadione had returned from the arduous enterprise to announce
that it had been crowned with complete success.
None but those who have had some opportunity of becoming acquainted
with the social habits and manners of the smaller cities of Italy--
and that as they were some twenty years ago, and not as they are
now--can imagine the degree in which a matter of the kind in
question could be felt there to be a subject of general public
interest. From the Cardinal Legate, who governed the province, down
to the little boys who hung about the cafe doors, in the hope of
picking up a half-eaten roll, there was not a human being in the
city who did not feel that he had some part of the glory resulting
from the fact that "La Lalli" was to sing at Ravenna during the
Carnival.
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