other, and her maid Giacinta, and Beppo gathered about
her, for three weeks Vittoria had been in full operatic career, working,
winning fame, believing that she was winning influence, and establishing
a treasury. The presence of her lover in Milan would have called her to
the noble city; but he being at Brescia, she asked herself why she should
abstain from labours which contributed materially to the strength of the
revolution and made her helpful. It was doubtful whether Countess Ammiani
would permit her to sing at La Scala; or whether the city could support
an opera in the throes of war. And Vittoria was sending money to Milan.
The stipend paid to her by the impresario, the jewels, the big
bouquets--all flowed into the treasury of the insurrection.
Antonio-Pericles advanced her a large sum on the day when the news of the
Milanese uprising reached Turin: the conditions of the loan had simply
been that she should continue her engagement to sing in Turin. He was
perfectly slavish to her, and might be trusted to advance more. Since the
great night at La Scala, she had been often depressed by a secret feeling
that there was divorce between her love of her country and devotion to
her Art. Now that both passions were in union, both active, each aiding
the fire of the other, she lived a consummate life. She could not have
abandoned her path instantly though Carlo had spoken his command to her
in person. Such were her first spontaneous seasonings, and Laura Piaveni
seconded them; saying, "Money, money!, we must be Jews for money. We
women are not allowed to fight, but we can manage to contribute our lire
and soldi; we can forge the sinews of war."

Vittoria wrote respectfully to Countess Ammiani stating why she declined
to leave Turin. The letter was poorly worded. While writing it she had
been taken by a sentiment of guilt and of isolation in presuming to
disobey her lover. "I am glad he will not see it," she remarked to Laura,
who looked rapidly across the lines, and said nothing. Praise of the king
was in the last sentence. Laura's eyes lingered on it half-a-minute.

"Has he not drawn his sword? He is going to march," said Vittoria.

"Oh, yes," Laura replied coolly; "but you put that to please Countess
Ammiani."

Vittoria confessed she had not written it purposely to defend the king.
"What harm?" she asked.

"None. Only this playing with shades allows men to call us hypocrites."

The observation angered Vittoria. She h