What I want to know, is what sort of a
scenic presence has she? Can she take the stage? I do not ask if she
is captivating in a drawing-room; but has she the face and figure
needed to be effective in the theatre? I need not tell you, my
friend, that these are two different things, and do not always go
together," said the Marchese, whose interest in the matter was, as
he said, wholly theatrical; first, that he and the society of
Ravenna should enjoy some fine singing during the coming Carnival;
and, secondly that the Lalli should produce such an enthusiasm as
should lead all the theatrical world to think and say that a great
stroke had been achieved, and a very public-spirited thing done in
bringing about the engagement. He was anxious that the step, which
he had had a large share in taking, should result in a great and
universally admitted success.
"Eccellenza! I have no doubt that your lordship will be satisfied in
these respects. Most true it is, as your Excellency so judiciously
remarks, that we require something more than merely a beautiful
face, or even than a fine figure. And I have never had the good
fortune to see `La Lalli' on the boards. But as far as my poor
judgment goes, she is admirably gifted with all the requisites for
achieving the result we desire. Then there is the testimony of all
Milan! And I succeeded in speaking with an old friend who had seen
her the year before last at Naples, and whose report I can trust.
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