The contadini--the peasants outside the gates--even though
they were only just outside it, cared nothing at all about the
matter: another specialty of the social peculiarities of the
peninsula.
The Cardinal Legate, restrained by the professional decorum of his
cloth, said nothing save among his quite safe intimates; but,
perhaps, like the sailor's parrot, he only thought the more.
As for the jeunesse doree of the Circolo, to whom Signor Leandro
recounted his great tidings with all the self-importance to which
the exclusive possession of news of such interest so well entitled
him, it is impossible to do justice to the enthusiasm which the news
excited among them.
All sorts of pleasing anticipations were indulged in. They were all
jealous of each other by anticipation. Already, in the gravest
spirit of business, a scheme for taking off her horses at the city
gates and harnessing their noble selves to the carriage of the
expected guest was discussed.
The reputation enjoyed by the great singer Bianca Lalli at that time
was very high throughout Italy. But, perhaps,--any one of her rival
goddesses would have said undoubtedly,--it was a reputation not
wholly and exclusively due to her strictly vocal charms. She was, in
truth, a woman of more than ordinary beauty; and was universally
declared to exercise a charm on all who came within reach of her
influence beyond that which even extraordinary beauty has always the
privilege of exercising.
Pages:
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121