“Or Nina’s friend, Mademoiselle Louise?”
“No.”
“Or the Italian dancer, who comes there sometimes—what is her name—Donna Cerconi?”
“No!—you do not go on. See now, how pure is your love for art! you have guessed only those who have beauty of person!”
“Mock me no longer!” cried the young man: “what pleasure is it to you to torment me?”
“Well, then, you shall know; but first, a question—have you never observed a female in the house of old Ricco?”
“Never.”
“Strange—and yet you have seen her frequently.”
“I can assure you——”
“Hold, sir! no assurances! I see plainly, the young artist so deeply in love with music, has eyes only for a pretty damsel! She of whom I speak, is neither handsome nor young. In short, it is no other than the girl who performs the services of maid to Nina.”