Well, we shall see," she
added, after another pause: "one thing, at all events. I swear that
there shall be nothing between me and the Marchese--of--the old
sort."
"It is wisely said, bambina mia. That is the road which must lead,
if any can, to the winning of your game."
CHAPTER VI
At the Circolo
There was, at all events, one man at Ravenna who was entirely
pleased and satisfied with the famous prima donna in all respects:
and this was Signor Ercole Stadione.
The Carnival campaign of La Lalli had been thus far brilliantly
successful, and the Carnival was now about half over. She "drew," as
the little impresario had prophesied she would, to his heart's
content. It was many a year since there had been so successful a
season at the theatre. Each part she sang in was a more brilliant
success than the last; and the public enthusiasm was such as
enthusiasm on such subjects never is save in Italy.
In every respect, too, her ways and behaviour had been
unexceptional. Her attention was never distracted from her business
by the visits of young men behind the scenes--a torment which,
during the reigns of other Divas, had often driven the poor little
impresario, who dared not get rid of such intruders as he would have
liked to do, almost wild. Bianca would permit no visits of the kind.
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