“She must not over-strain it—it is so beautiful,” said James, while Emily echoed—
“Oh, it is lovely! oh, cara Violante, come here and let us tell you how beautifully you sang.”
“Violante!” said her father; and she came towards them, while James on a nearer view saw how lovely were the curves of cheek and throat, and how delicate the outline of the still white features. With a view to hearing her speak, he thanked her for her song, and said—
“I suppose I need not ask you if you are fond of music?”
Violante cast down her eyes, blushed, and stammered out under her breath,—
“Yes, Signor, thank you;” while her father said, “My daughter is very glad to have given you pleasure, and very grateful to those who are kind enough to express it. You must excuse her, Signor, she is not used to strangers.”
The poor child looked ready to sink into the earth beneath this public notice of her bad manners. Hugh looked so stern and fierce that, had he asked the question, she might well have feared to answer him; but Emily broke the awkward silence by saying eagerly -
“You will come and give me my lesson to-morrow, Signorina Rosa? Will Violante come too?”
“I am afraid,” said Rosa, “that she will be too busy.”
“Ah, well, I shall see her if she does not see me, next Tuesday. Good-bye, Violante. Good-bye, Signorina.”