"Bravo! bravo! encore! encore!"
Blushing and smiling and with her heart throbbing joyously Nadine, looking more charming than ever, returned, and repeated the last verse of the song, putting into it such profound expression and such winning tenderness that many eyes were filled with tears.
At this moment Madame Pradère called little Lydia to her and said, smiling through the tears that brimmed her beautiful eyes:
"My pet, you should now take up the collection. It is just the right time for it. Nadine has touched the people's hearts and they will not refuse to put their hands in their pockets. Will they, Colonel Laurier?" turning to the officer who sat upon her right.
"No, indeed!" he responded warmly, slipping his own hand into his pocket whence came the significant jingle of coin. "This crowd will give a fine collection I am sure."
"Very well, Madame, I'll run and tell Nadine," responded Lydia, bowing prettily, and she darted off behind the curtain, which rose the next instant showing Cæsar ready to announce the remainder of the program.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said with quite a grand air, as if fully appreciating the importance of what he had to tell them. "We are now to have the honor of presenting to you the famous trained elephant Nalla in his wonderful acts of intelligence and skill. He is the wisest and kindest elephant in captivity. He understands everything we say to him, and he can talk a little to us in his own way. There is no other such elephant on the continent. We call him our breadwinner because he is the chief attraction of our little show. Before he appears Mademoiselle Lydia will pass amongst you, and will be pleased to receive whatever you may see fit to give in return for the amusement we have provided this evening, and while she is doing this, if you have no objection, I will play a few tunes upon my mandolin. If any one present desires a particular air I shall be very happy to play it if I know how."
Having made this clever little speech with exceeding good grace, Cæsar took up his instrument and in response to the request of one of the officers, began the solo of the Toreador from "Carmen," which he gave with great spirit.
Meanwhile Nadine accompanied Lydia, who, holding a wooden bowl in her hand, began the round of the spectators.