"Well, I must have a new rôle in a new opera or I shall run away," said La Luciola, firmly.
Both men uttered a cry of joy. Luciola looked from one to the other and finally said:
"Does my demand embarrass you?"
"No, luck alone makes us dumb. We intended, signora, to ask you to-day to take a part in a new opera."
"Is it possible?" exclaimed La Luciola, clapping her hands with joy. "Who is the composer of the new opera? Gioberto, Palmerelli, or perhaps you, Ticellini? But stay! before we go any further, I make one condition: the subject must not be tragical."
"Oh, tragic opera has long since gone out of fashion."
"Thank God, you have the same opinion as I. What I should like now would be a spectacular piece, an allegory or something like it—pretty music and bright verses."
"Oh, signora!" exclaimed Ticellini, joyfully, "I have got what you want. The new opera is called the 'Queen of Flowers.'"
"What a pretty title!"