"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 being in her society and 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 that instant, the countess perceived Franz, and graciously waved her hand to him, to which he replied by 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 in thinking so," returned Franz calmly;"but you merely fall into the same error which leads so many of our countrymen to commit the most egregious blunders, --I mean that of judging the habits and customs of Italy and Spain by our Parisian notions; believe me, nothing is more fallacious than to form any estimate of the degree of intimacy you may suppose existing among persons by the familiar terms they seem upon; there is a similarity of feeling at this instant between ourselves and the countess -- nothing more.""Is there, indeed, my good fellow? Pray tell me, is it sympathy of heart?""No; of taste," continued Franz gravely.
"And in what manner has this congeniality of mind been evinced?""By the countess's visiting the Colosseum, as we did last night, by moonlight, and nearly alone.""You were with her, then?"
"I was."
"And what did you say to her?"
"Oh, we talked of the illustrious dead of whom that magnificent ruin is a glorious monument!""Upon my word," cried Albert, "you must have been a very entertaining companion alone, or all but alone, with a beautiful woman in such a place of sentiment as the Colosseum, and yet to find nothing better a talk about than the dead! All I can say is, if ever I should get such a chance, the living should be my theme.""And you will probably find your theme ill-chosen.""But," said Albert, breaking in upon his discourse, "never mind the past; let us only remember the present.Are you not going to keep your promise of introducing me to the fair subject of our remarks?""Certainly, directly the curtain falls on the stage.""What a confounded time this first act takes.I believe, on my soul, that they never mean to finish it.""Oh, yes, they will; only listen to that charming finale.
How exquisitely Coselli sings his part."
"But what an awkward, inelegant fellow he is.""Well, then, what do you say to La Specchia? Did you ever see anything more perfect than her acting?""Why, you know, my dear fellow, when one has been accustomed to Malibran and Sontag, such singers as these don't make the same impression on you they perhaps do on others.""At least, you must admire Moriani's style and execution.""I never fancied men of his dark, ponderous appearance singing with a voice like a woman's.""My good friend," said Franz, turning to him, while Albert continued to point his glass at every box in the theatre, "you seem determined not to approve; you are really too difficult to please." The curtain at length fell on the performances, to the infinite satisfaction of the Viscount of Morcerf, who seized his hat, rapidly passed his fingers through his hair, arranged his cravat and wristbands, and signified to Franz that he was waiting for him to lead the way.Franz, who had mutely interrogated the countess, and received from her a gracious smile in token that he would be welcome, sought not to retard the gratification of Albert's eager impatience, but began at once the tour of the house, closely followed by Albert, who availed himself of the few minutes required to reach the opposite side of the theatre to settle the height and smoothness of his collar, and to arrange the lappets of his coat.This important task was just completed as they arrived at the countess's box.At the knock, the door was immediately opened, and the young man who was seated beside the countess, in obedience to the Italian custom, instantly rose and surrendered his place to the strangers, who, in turn, would be expected to retire upon the arrival of other visitors.