r at the stage door in the evening.
He assents and tries to get rid of her, when her suspicions are
reawakened by the sight of the picture, which she sees is a portrait of
the Lady Attavanti. With difficulty he succeeds in persuading her of
his undying love and at last induces her to depart; he then enters the
chapel, and urges Angelotti to fly, while the way is clear. The chapel
opens into a deserted garden from whence a foot-path leads to the
painter's villa, in which there is a well now nearly dry. Into this
well the painter advises Angelotti to descend if there is any danger of
pursuit, as half way down there is an opening leading to a secret cave
where his friend will be in perfect safety.

The Lady Attavanti had left a woman's clothes for her brother, to wear
as a disguise. He takes {465} them up and turns to go, when the report
of a cannon tells him that his flight from the fortress is discovered.
With sudden resolution Cavaradossi decides to accompany the fugitive,
to help him to escape from his terrible enemy.

In the next scene acolytes, scholars and singers enter the church
tumultuously. They have heard that Napoleon has been defeated and all
are shouting and laughing, when Scarpia, the chief of the Police enters
in search of the fugitive. Turning to the sacristan he demands to be
shown the chapel of the Attavanti, which to the amazement of the
sacristan is found open. It is empty, but Scarpia finds a fan, on
which he perceives the arms of the Attavanti, then he sees the picture
and hears that Tosca's lover, Cavaradossi has painted it. The basket
with food is also found, empty. During the discussion that ensues,
Tosca enters, much astonished to find Scarpia here instead of her
lover. The chief of the police awakens her jealousy by showing her the
fan, which he pretends to have found on the scaffolding. Tosca,
recognizing the arms of the Attavanti is goaded almost to madness by
the wily Scarpia. When she departs three spies are ordered to follow
her.

The second act takes place in Scarpia's luxurious apartments in an
upper story of the Farnese palace.

Scarpia is expecting Tosca, who is to sing this evening at the Queen's
festival. He has decided to take her for his Mistress, and to put her
lover {466} to death as well as Angelotti, as soon as he has got hold
of both. Spoletta, a police-agent informs his chief, that he followed
Tosca to a solitary villa which she left again, alone, very soon