"Mademoiselle," corrected the lady, raising her vail.
"You have a hundred times more talent than Mademoiselle X."
"We will not talk of her, and she must always remain in ignorance of this defection of one of her greatest admirers."
But the feeling against the prima donna was that day of excessive bitterness, and every one agreed with the tenor.
"Will you sing with me?" asked the tenor.
The lady answered, "As this fête is for charity, I cannot decline."
The director then said:
"We will express our thanks later, dear lady; please give me your name that I may make the announcement."
The tenor lifted his head.