herself to us with her whole being--to have
opened to us the innermost recesses of her nature--is the first to
deceive us, and with the sweetest kisses we imbibe the most destroying
poison."

"And my Marianna?" asked Antonio, aghast.

"Pardon me, Antonio," answered Salvator; "even your Marianna, who is
sweetness and delightsomeness personified, has given me a fresh proof
how constantly we are menaced by the mysterious nature of woman.
Remember how that innocent, inexperienced child behaved when we took
her uncle home to her; how, at one glance of mine, she comprehended the
whole situation, and played her part, as you said yourself, with the
most amazing ability. But that was not to be named in the same day with
what happened when Musso went to see the old man. The most practised
skill, the most impenetrable craftiness--in short, every art of the
woman most accomplished and experienced in the ways of the world--could
suggest nothing more than what little Marianna did, in order to throw
dust in the old man's eyes with the most absolute assurance of success.
She could not possibly have acted with greater talent to make the road
clear for us, whatever our undertakings were to be. The campaign
against the insane old fool was legitimate--every kind of trick and
artifice seems justified; still, however, dear Antonio, don't let my
dreamer's fancies influence you too much, and be as happy with your
Marianna as ever you can."

If only some monk had accompanied Signor Pasquale as he was on his way
to Musso's theatre with Marianna, everybody must have thought the
strange pair were being taken to the place of execution; for ahead of
them marched Michele, truculent in aspect, and armed to the teeth; and
he was followed by well on to twenty Sbirri, who were surrounding
Signor Pasquale and Marianna.

Nicolo received the old gentleman and the lady with much solemnity of
ceremony, and conducted them to the places reserved for them close in
front of the stage. Much flattered at being thus honoured, Signor
Pasquale looked about him with proud, beaming glances; and his pleasure
was increased by the circumstance that there were none but women round
and behind Marianna. Behind the scenes, on the stage, one or two
violins and a bass were being tuned, and the old gentleman's heart beat
high with anticipation, and a sort of electric shock pierced through
his joints and marrow when all at once the ritornello of his aria
sounded.

Formica