It is very desirable not to go there later; because when the warm
weather comes it becomes so unhealthy there."
"Yes; but we have some days yet before the end of the Carnival; and
till then you will be at work every day here?"
"Si, Signora; I hope so."
"Then I hope we shall have several more opportunities of seeing each
other. And now I must not keep you from your work any longer. Shall
we be friends?"
"Oh, Signorina; it is too good of you to ask me, a poor artist. And
when--it would be my greatest pride to have such a friend."
And then the girls kissed and parted: Violante to kneel for her
daily devotions, at the footstool before the altar; and Paolina to
continue her copying. And after that they had frequent meetings in
the little chapel, and learned to become fast friends.
The Carnival was now drawing near its end; and the city had been
promised that before the time of cakes and ale should be over, and
that of sackcloth and ashes should begin, the divine prima donna
should appear in one more new part. And, after much deliberation and
debate, it had been decided that this should be Bellini's
masterpiece, La Sonnambula. She was to sing it on one night only--
the last Sunday of the Carnival; and the attraction on that night
was proportionably great. The Sonnambula, then in the first blush of
its immense popularity, had never yet been heard in Ravenna.
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