The truth was, every one was talking of his own love-affairs, of
the Carnival that began next day, of the next Holy Week, without
thinking of the actors or the piece, except when they turned to listen
to a recitative of Coselli, or to applaud Moriani or Spech, and then
resumed the conversation.
Toward the close of the first act, the door of a box which had been hitherto vacant was opened; a lady entered to whom Franz had been introduced in Paris, where, indeed, he had imagined she still was. Albert caught the start with which his friend beheld the new arrival, and turning to him, he said, hastily:
"Do you know the lady who has just entered the box?"
"Yes; what do you think of her?"
"Oh, she is perfectly lovely what a complexion! And such magnificent hair! Is she French?"
"No; a Venetian."
"And her name is"
"Countess G."
"Ah! I know her by name," exclaimed Albert; "she is said to possess as much wit as beauty! I was to have been presented to her when I met her at Madame Villefort's ball."
"Shall I assist you in repairing your negligence?" asked Franz.
"My dear fellow, are you really on such good terms with her as to venture to take me to her box?"
"Why, I have only had the honor of conversing with her three or four times in my life; but you know that even such an acquaintance as that might warrant my doing what you ask."
At this instant the countess perceived Franz, and graciously waved her hand to him, to which he replied with a respectful inclination of the head. "Upon my word," said Albert, "you seem to be on excellent terms with the beautiful countess!"
"You are mistaken," returned Franz, calmly; "what makes us Frenchmen commit the most egregious blunders is our judging every thing by our Parisian notions. In Spain, and especially in Italy, never judge about intimacy between people because they are on familiar terms. We are in sympathy with the countess, nothing more."
"Pray tell me, is it sympathy of heart?"
"No; of taste!" continued Franz, gravely.
"In what manner?"
"By the countess's visiting the Colosseum, as we did last night, by moonlight, and nearly alone."
"You were with her, then?"
"I was."
