"Be silent, then, monsieur," said Lucie severely. "It is wonderful."
At that moment the song gradually grew fainter, and finally died away. The accompaniment ceased also with a few majestic chords.
They all drew near the house whence came the melody, and in the general preoccupation no one observed that Jacob grew pale, and seemed to recognize the voice. He pressed his hand against his side as if in pain. His emotion was almost terrifying, and his features had changed so as to be hardly recognizable.
Ivas perceived his friend's emotion.
"What is the matter?" asked he anxiously. "Has the music impressed you thus?"
The Jew, distrait and silent, thanked him for his solicitude, and motioned for him to be silent.
"Listen; perhaps she will sing again," said Lucie.
They were silent, but in vain.
After long waiting the door opened, and there came out of the house a young and elegant woman accompanied by a distinguished-looking man, whose features were of the Oriental type.
They attracted at once the attention of the promenaders. The woman was about twenty years old; her features were delicate. She was a pale brunette, with black eyes full of languor, and she bore on her face an expression so noble and so sad that one thought she was an angel of death. Her calmness apparently covered some bitter chagrin and a profound melancholy. Her dress was sombre and bore out the grave character of her features, maintaining without heightening her beauty.