The Daughter of an Empress

All the guests of the cardinal were assembled in the gigantic hall, and

all eyes were anxiously bent upon the mysterious curtain, which still

remained closed.

Now resounded a little bell, and Cardinal Bernis smilingly turned to

Natalie, who sat by his side.

"I think this mystery is about to be unveiled," said he.

"And I am quite anxious about it," said the young maiden, gracefully

laying her hand upon her heart. "My heart beats as violently as if a

mystery were about to be unveiled in my own breast. Do you believe in

presentiments, Sir Cardinal?"

Bernis had not time to answer her. Just at that moment the curtain drew

up, a general "Ah!" of admiration was heard, and, suddenly carried

away by their feelings, the whole audience broke into extravagant

and long-enduring applause, crying and shouting, "Evviva Corilla!

l'improvisatrice Corilla!"

And in fact it was an admirable picture which was there presented to the

audience. Those flower-strewed steps led up to an altar, upon the centre

of which, between wreaths of flowers, shot up two dark-red flames.

Against that altar leaned, exalted and august as a Grecian priestess,

the improvisatrice Corilla. Her eyes raised to the heavens, her features

lighted up with a rosy glow by the red flames, her half-raised right

arm resting upon an urn, while her left arm was stretched upward toward

heaven, she thus resembled an inspired priestess, just receiving a

message from on high, listening with ecstasy, with suppressed breath and

parted lips, to the voice of the Deity, and forgetting the world in

a blissful intoxication, she seemed about to take her flight to the

empyrean!

And while Corilla, as if absorbed in spiritual contemplation, continued

to stand immovable there, began the low notes of a harp, which,

gradually becoming fuller and stronger, at length resounded in

powerfully rushing and exultant tones. From Corilla all eyes were now

turned upon Carlo, who, in the light dress of a Greek youth, his harp

upon his arm, was leaning against a pomegranate tree placed in the

background of the stage, and with his pale, serious face, with his

noble, manly features, formed a beautiful contrast to the inspired and

love-beaming priestess Corilla.

Natalie, feeling something like a slight puncture in her heart,

involuntarily carried her hand to her bosom. It was a strange, a

wonderful feeling, which stirred within her, partly partaking of joy at

seeing and hearing her friend Carlo, as people were murmuring praises of

his beauty, and of his great skill upon the harp, and partly a feeling

of painful emotion. She knew not why, but as her glance met his, it

quickly turned toward Corilla, and quite sadly she said to herself: "She

is much handsomer than I!"

Carlo now opened his lips, and to a beautifully simple melody he sweetly

sang an introductory song, as it were to prepare the audience for the

coming solemnity. Having finished this, two lovely amourettes came

forward, with silver vases in their hands, and hastened down the steps

to the audience, politely requesting them to furnish themes for the

great improvisatrice Corilla.