"It is in your power to change the situation, and I would like to persuade you to do your part. H-m! it is so hard to speak of it to you, Lensky, you have such passionate prejudices; but, really, it will lead to nothing to further excite Spatzig. If you soothe his vanity, wounded by you, he will immediately write an article about you which will paralyze the effect of the one about me. He will make converts for you, will extol you just as zealously as he has formerly depreciated you."
"And what shall I do to cause this important reverse of affairs?" asks Lensky, with caustic scorn.
Perfection hesitated a moment, then he replied: "Call upon Frau Spatzig."
"So, then, Spatzig has a wife?" asked Lensky. "You surely must know; he has been married for more than six years."
"I had no suspicion, never troubled myself about Herr Spatzig's private affairs," replied Lensky, arrogantly.
"A former singer, Signora Zingarelli. She spoke with great interest of you; told me that, long years ago, on your first tour in America, she had the pleasure of learning to know you personally, and assured me that she would be very happy to see you again. She laid great stress on it."
"What is the lovely creature's name? Zinga--Zinga----"
"Zingarelli."
"So, Zingarelli!" Lensky laughed to himself. "That is indeed delightful, that is charming, really. The Zingarelli! I remember her distinctly. A Belgian with a pretty white complexion and red hair. I compliment Herr Spatzig. H-m! And I should call upon this lady?"
"It would be to your interest," said Perfection. "If it, nevertheless, would be disagreeable to you, I make you another proposition. I play to-morrow at a soirée at the Spatzigs. Come for my sake, to do me the honor, without having left a card before."