But it was absurd to suppose it anything more than a resemblance.

As the opera advanced, it became evident that Nino was making a success.

Then in the second act it was clear that the success was growing to be an ovation, and the ovation a furore, in which the house became entirely demoralised, and vouchsafed to listen only so long as Nino was singing--screaming with delight before he had finished what he had to sing in each scene.

People sent their servants away in hot haste to buy flowers wherever they could, and he came back to his dressing-room, from the second act, carrying bouquets by the dozen, small bunches and big, such as people had been able to get or had brought with them.

His eyes shone like the coals in Mariuccia's scaldino, as he entered, and he was pale through his paint.