An Italian was seldom seen in the Casino, and those that came were generally those who had taken to the Austrian army.
On the night of the 15th to the 16th of March, 1848, lively scenes were being enacted in the Casino, and neither Aurora Vertelli herself nor old Major Bartolomeo Batto, who was one of the regular customers at the place, could restrain the excited guests.
"What is going on at Vienna, Lieutenant Pasky?" asked a young officer. "Have the riots there any importance?"
"No, thank God," replied the lieutenant; "the canaille will soon be brought to their senses."
"H'm, if the emperor would only be strict," said another.
"Ah, bah! the mob has no importance."
"And the cannons generally prove it."
"Comrades," said an elderly officer, approaching the group, "I think the affair is serious."
"How so? What has happened?"
"Well, the emperor has made concessions."