Volume I Part 26 (1/2)
”My visit seeentlenora, what are you thinking of? On the contrary, ere just speaking about you and wishi+ng you were here”
”Flatterer,” said La Luciola, laughing, and pointing her finger warningly at hinora, Salvani says the truth,” Ticellini said, earnestly ”We wish to ask a great favor of you”
”That is excellent I also co up hurriedly ”You speak first, and then you shall hear what brought nora,” said Ticellini, crossing his hands and falling on one knee, ”ical! One would i to tell an Salvani, sta
”My dear i, ”let us make short work of it I will tell you why I cahts Well, then, I a tired at La Scala; Donizetti, Bellini, and whatever other naood fellows, but, you know, _toujours perdrix_”
”Well--and--” asked Salvani, breathlessly, as the diva paused
”Well, I must have a new _role_ in a new opera or I shall run away,”
said La Luciola, firmly
Both men uttered a cry of joy Luciola looked from one to the other and finally said:
”Does my demand embarrass you?”
”No, luck alone nora, to ask you to-day to take a part in a new opera”
”Is it possible?” exclai her hands with joy
”Who is the composer of the new opera? Gioberto, Palo any further, I ical”
”Oh, tragic opera has long since gone out of fashi+on”
”Thank God, you have the same opinion as I What I should like noould be a spectacular piece, an allegory or soht verses”
”Oh, signora!” exclaiot what you want The new opera is called the 'Queen of Flowers'”
”What a pretty title!”
”Your part will be that of the daisy”
”Beautiful, beautiful!”
”Permit me to play you the first cavatina”
Ticellini hurried to the piano and began to play
Luciola listened attentively and nodded satisfaction as Ticellini sung the verses
”That will do,” she said ”Get everything ready for the rehearsals; I shall sing the part”