d your friends as you
were returning from my theatre at night. But I pray you, Signor
Pasquale, by all the saints, don't cherish any grudge against me or my
theatre on account of this outrage, which shall be severely punished.
Don't deprive me of the honour of your company at my performances!"

"My dear Signor Nicolo," replied the old man, simpering, "be assured
that I never enjoyed myself more than I did when I visited your
theatre. Your Formica and your Agli--why, they are actors who cannot be
matched anywhere. But the fright almost killed my friend Signor
Splendiano Accoramboni, nay, it almost proved the death of me--no, it
was too great; and though it has not made me averse from your theatre,
it certainly has from the road there. If you will put up your theatre
in the Piazza del Popolo, or in the Via Babuina, or in the Via Ripetta,
I certainly will not fail to visit you a single evening; but there's
no power on earth shall ever get me outside the Porta del Popolo at
night-time again."

Nicolo sighed deeply, as if greatly troubled. "That is very hard upon
me," said he then, "harder perhaps than you will believe, Signor
Pasquale. For unfortunately--I had based all my hopes upon you. I came
to solicit your assistance."

"My assistance?" asked the old gentleman in astonishment "My
assistance, Signor Nicolo? In what way could it profit you?"

"My dear Signor Pasquale," replied Nicolo, drawing his handkerchief
across his eyes, as if brushing away the trickling tears, "my most
excellent Signor Pasquale, you will remember that my actors are in the
habit of interspersing songs through their performances. This practice
I was thinking of extending imperceptibly more and more, then to get
together an orchestra, and, in a word, at last, eluding all
prohibitions to the contrary, to establish an opera-house. You, Signor
Capuzzi, are the first composer in all Italy; and we can attribute it
to nothing but the inconceivable frivolity of the Romans and the
malicious envy of your rivals that we hear anything else but your
pieces exclusively at all the theatres. Signor Pasquale, I came to
request you on my bended knees to allow me to put your immortal works,
as far as circumstances will admit, on my humble stage."

"My dear Signor Nicolo," said the old gentleman, his face all sunshine,
"what are we about to be talking here in the public street? Pray deign
to have the goodness to climb up one or two rather steep flights of
stairs.