Amo il sol, perche teco il divido,
Amo il rio, perche l'onda ti da,"
with a sweetness of expression perfectly irresistible. The Marchese
in his corner, half-shrouded from the observation of the house by
the curtain, which, though undrawn, hung down by the side of the
box, but fully facing the stage, was perfectly aware that the singer
had specially addressed herself to him; and he felt the full force
of the loving rebuke for the unreasonable displeasure he had so
recently manifested in her dressing-room. His heart went out towards
her; and he felt that if it were to be done that moment, he could
have led her to the altar in the face of all Christendom.
At the end of the act the plaudits were again vociferous, and four
times was the smiling and triumphant Diva compelled by the calls and
clamour of her worshippers to return before the curtain to receive
their applause and salute them in return for it. The Marchese
Ludovico again loudly and enthusiastically joined in these
manifestations; and then, when they were over, and the noise in the
house had subsided, he quietly slipped out of the box, and springing
up the stairs which communicated with the upper tier of boxes,
entered that occupied by Paolina and the Signora Orsola Steno.
"What did you think of that, Paolina mia?" he said, sitting down by
her side, and making the action of applauding with his hands, as he
spoke.
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