45.—PRIMA DONNAS COME HIGH.
Gabriella was a singer who, like Jenny Lind, could be generosity personified when occasion offered; nevertheless she appreciated her own worth as an artiste, and on occasion could demand what she considered her value. At one time she was summoned by the Empress Catherine the Second, of Russia, to sing before her Majesty. Shortly after her arrival at St. Petersburg, Gabriella was asked by the Empress her terms for amusing her royal audience. It seems that no amount had previously been stipulated. She determined that a royal patron should pay a royal price and answered: "Five thousand ducats."
"Five thousand ducats!" exclaimed the queen. "Why, not one of my field-marshals is paid so much!"
"Then your Majesty had better get one of your field-marshals to sing," answered the quick-witted diva.