or three months); and
you will open your eyes when I tell you that I went (in domino and
masked) to the great opera ball. Yes, I did really. Robert, who had been
invited two or three times to other people's boxes, had proposed to
return this kindness by taking a box himself at the opera this night and
entertaining two or three friends with _gallantina_ and champagne. Just
as he and I were lamenting the impossibility of my going, on that very
morning the wind changed, the air grew soft and mild, and he maintained
that I might and should go. There was no time to get a domino of my own
(Robert himself had a beautiful one made, and I am having it
metamorphosed into a black silk gown for myself!), so I sent out and
hired one, buying the mask. And very much amused I was. I like to see
these characteristic things. (I shall never rest, Sarianna, till I risk
my reputation at the Bal de l'Opera at Paris.) Do you think I was
satisfied with staying in the box? No, indeed. Down I went, and Robert
and I elbowed our way through the crowd to the remotest corner of the
ball below. Somebody smote me on the shoulder and cried 'Bella
mascherina!' and I answered as imprudently as one feels under a mask. At
two o'clock in the morning, however, I had to give up and come away
(being overcome by the heavy air), and ingloriously left Robert and our
friends to follow at half-past four. Think of the refinement and
gentleness--yes, I must call it _superiority_--of this people, when no
excess, no quarrelling, no rudeness nor coarseness can be observed in
the course of such wild masked liberty. Not a touch of license anywhere.
And perfect social equality! Ferdinando side by side in the same
ballroom with the Grand Duke, and no class's delicacy offended against!
For the Grand Duke went down into the ballroom for a short time. The
boxes, however, were dear. We were on a third tier, yet paid 2_l._ 5_s._
English, besides entrance money. I think that, generally speaking,
theatrical amusements are cheaper in Paris, in spite of apparent
cheapnesses here. The pit here and stalls are cheap. But 'women in
society' can't go there, it is said; and you must take a whole box, if
you want two seats in a box--which seems to me monstrous. People combine
generally....

Ever affectionate
BA.

I meant to write only a word--and see! May it not be overweight!

* * * * *

_To Mrs. Jameson_

Florence: April 9 [1857].

Dearest Madonn