"To-morrow would be too late."
"Then, in the devil's name, speak now and be done with it. What do you wish?"
"That Aslitta be arrested this evening."
"Ah, La Luciola is divine; we must secure her for Vienna!" exclaimed the colonel, enthusiastically. "Will you arrange it?"
"What, your excellency?"
"Are you deaf? We must secure Luciola for Vienna."
"Have Aslitta arrested, and La Luciola will be a member of the Vienna Opera."
"Stupid, what interest has La Luciola in Aslitta?"
"She loves him," hissed the count.
"What! La Luciola disdains our advances, and falls in love with this Neapolitan! That is treason."