I waved my hand, ordered the music to stop, and addressing the Prince, who was standing in the centre of one of the gayest groups, complained of his want of hospitality in affording to us such poor proficients in the art while he reserved for his own solace the lute and voice of the first performer in Naples.

I demanded, half laughingly, half seriously, that he should produce the Pisani.

My demand was received with shouts of applause by the rest.

We drowned the replies of our host with uproar, and would hear no denial.
"Gentlemen," at last said the Prince, when he could obtain an audience, "even were I to assent to your proposal, I could not induce the signora to present herself before an assemblage as riotous as they are noble.

You have too much chivalry to use compulsion with her, though the Due de R--forgets himself sufficiently to administer it to inc." I was stung by this taunt, however well deserved.