In the third act, the song sung by the sleep-walker in her state of
unconsciousness--"Ah non credea mirarti,"--was a great success. And
most fascinatingly lovely the Diva looked in her white night-dress,
with her wreath of rich auburn tresses hanging in luxuriant curls
around her shoulders.
Shortly after this had been sung a liveried servant entered the
Castelmare box, bearing a most superb bouquet of choice flowers,
tied with a long streamer of broad rose-coloured ribbon, and
deposited it on the front of the box.
And then came the joyful finale "Ah non giunge." And in that the
Diva seemed to surpass herself. It was a passionate carol of love,
and joy, and triumph in which she seemed to pour the whole force and
energy of her soul into the words and sounds that told the truth,
the entirety, the perfection of her love, and the overwhelming
happiness the recognition of it by its object gave her.
For many minutes the vociferous applause continued. The stage was
covered with flowers flung from all sides of the house. The Marchese
Lamberto whispered a word or two to Ludovico; and then the latter,
leaning far out of the box, presented the magnificent bouquet to
Bianca, who was smiling and thanking the public for their plaudits
by repeated curtsies, and who came for it to the side of the stage.
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