"If she do not make such a sensation in Ravenna as we have not known here for a long time, say that Ercole Stadione knows nothing of his profession." "Bravo! bravo!" cried the Marchese, gleefully rubbing his hands.

"And now, my good friend, I won't keep you from the bed and the rest you so well deserve any longer.

You may depend on it that your zeal in this matter won't be overlooked or forgotten." "Troppo buono, Eccellenza! But there was one word I wished to say to your lordship," continued little Signor Ercole, dropping his voice to a lower key, and speaking with some hesitation,--one little word that I thought it might be useful, or--or--desirable to mention--" "Yes, speak on, my dear Signor Ercole, I am all attention.

What is it?
No drawback I hope!" "Only this, Signor Marchese," said the little man casting a glance round the room, dropping his voice still more, and bringing his head nearer to the ear of the Marchese; "only this:--you see if there had been nothing-disagreeable,--nothing untoward, as I may say--your lordship understands, we should never have had La Lalli at Ravenna.

There has been a--sort of difficulty--your lordship understands--spiteful things have been said--calumny--all calumny no doubt-the constant attendant of merit, alas! we all know.