She was
a study for an artist as she lay perfectly still on her sofa,
turning the minutes of expectation to profit by arranging in her
mind her plan of attack in the coming battle; for she was thoroughly
determined that that evening should not pass without some progress
towards the understanding having been accomplished.
One lamp on the table alone lighted the small but comfortable-
looking room; but the flame was leaping cheerfully among the logs on
the hearth, and the sofa was so placed that the fitful light from
the fire glanced in a thousand capricious reflections on the Diva's
auburn hair and rich satin dress. It was black of the most lustrous
quality, and fitted her person with a perfection that showed the
shape of the bust, and the lithe suppleness of the slender waist to
the utmost advantage. The dress was made low on the superb
shoulders--the dazzling whiteness of which, as seen contrasted with
the black satin, was now covered with a slight silk scarlet shawl,--
a most artistic completion of the harmonious colouring of the
picture, which yet was not so fixed in its position as to be
prevented from falling from the snowy slopes. it veiled at the
smallest movement of them.
Presently the now well-known step and well-known tap at the door
were heard, and the Diva, without stirring a hair's-breadth from her
charmingly-chosen attitude, spoke, in a silver voice, the "Passi"
which admitted her visitor.
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