75.—A HATFUL OF PEARLS.
Jenny Lind was the recipient of many handsome compliments, and none was more worthy of them than she. Some of her admirers were rather extravagant in their praise, and these she liked to joke when opportunity offered.
Lablache, the great bass singer, when he first heard her, could think of nothing more expressive of his admiration than to say "every note was a pearl."
Some time afterward, when they were both at a rehearsal, the young prima donna asked him to lend her his hat. He very politely did so, though not without secret wonder at her request.
She took it, and stepping to another part of the stage, placed the edge of the hat to her lips and sang several strains of melody; then returning to Lablache, she ordered him to fall on his knees and receive a royal present she had for him. He could do nothing but comply with the whim of the fair songstress.
She then told him that she was bestowing on him untold wealth, for, by his own saying, she was presenting him with a hatful of pearls.