Part 31 (2/2)
”I'm so fond of music,” said Josephine.
Not wis.h.i.+ng to object to her tastes, and believing that this observation related to the music then audible, I made no reply.
”And I have never been to an opera,” added she.
I was still silent, though from another motive.
”You will take me one night to the Italiens, or the Opera Comique, will you not, Monsieur Basil?” pursued she, determined not to lose her opportunity.
I had now no resource but to promise; which I did, very reluctantly.
”You would enjoy the Opera Comique far more than the Italiens,” said I, remembering that Madame de Marignan had a box at the Italiens, and rapidly weighing the chances for and against the possibility of recognition. ”At the first they sing in French--at the last, in Italian,”
”Ah, bah! I should prefer the French,” replied she, falling at once into the snare. ”When shall it be--this week?”
”Ye--es; one evening this week.”
”What evening?”
”Well, let me see--we had better wait, and consult the advertis.e.m.e.nts.”
”_Dame_! never mind the advertis.e.m.e.nts. Let it be Tuesday.”
”Why Tuesday?”
”Because it is soon; and because I can get away early on Tuesdays if I ask leave.”
I had, plainly, no chance of escape.
”You would not prefer to see the great military piece at the Porte St.
Martin?” I suggested. ”There are three hundred real soldiers in it, and they fire real cannon.”
”Not I! I have been to the Porte St. Martin, over and over again. Emile knew one of the scene-painter's a.s.sistants, and used to get tickets two or three times a month.”
”Then it shall be the Opera Comique,” said I, with a sigh.
”And on Tuesday evening next.”
”On Tuesday evening next.”
At this moment the piping and fiddling broke out afresh, and Josephine, who had scarcely taken the little telescope from her eye all the time, exclaimed that she saw the wedding party going through the market-place of the town.
”There they are--the musicians first; the bride and bridegroom next; and eight friends, all two and two! There will be a dance, depend on it! Let us go down to the town, and hear all about it! Perhaps they might invite us to join them--who knows?”
”But you would not dance before dinner?”
”_Eh, mon Dieu_! I would dance before breakfast, if I had the chance.
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