A brilliant sun in a cloudless sky made the
afternoon quite warm and genial, despite the general cold. An
Italian sun can do this. Where he shines not it may be freezing. As
soon as he has made his somewhat precipitous exit from the hard blue
sky, the temperature will suddenly fall some ten degrees or more.
But as long as he is in glory overhead, it is summer in the midst of
winter.
Three o'clock had been named as the hour at which the coming "Diva"
would reach the city gates. But the plans which the young habitues
of the Circolo had arranged for receiving her, had been in some
degree modified. The scheme of harnessing their noble selves to her
chariot-wheels had been abandoned; and instead of that it had been
understood that the Marchese Lamberto would himself go in his
carriage to meet her a few miles out of the city and bring her in.
The Marchese Ludovico and the young Barone Manutoli were to
accompany the Marchese Lamberto, and to assist in receiving the
lady; but were to return to the city in the carriage which she would
leave, on getting into that of the Marchese, or in any other way
that might seem good to them. The Marchese Lamberto and the lady
alone were to occupy his handsome family equipage. There was to be a
band of music in attendance, which would precede the carriage as it
entered the city; and some half-dozen young officers of a regiment
of Papal cavalry, which chanced to be then stationed at Ravenna,
intended to ride at each door of the carriage as it returned to the
city.
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