it was not a part of the mutual interdependence of things," said
the lady of the house, "although, perhaps, it does form a part of that
interdependence--or, at all events, fits into it--that, as it happens,
I have provided an entertainment for my visitors which forms a suitable
pendant to Euchar's story."

The doors opened, and Emanuela came in followed by the stunted little
Biagio Cubas with his guitar in his hands, making all manner of quaint
obeisances and salutations. But Emanuela, with that indescribable charm
of manner which had so fascinated Euchar and Ludwig in the Park, came
into the circle curtseying, and said in a gentle voice that she was
going to exhibit a little piece of skilfulness, which would not have
much to recommend it except its being a little out of the common.

During the short time which had elapsed since our two friends had seen
the girl she seemed to have grown taller, more beautiful, and more
developed in figure--moreover, she was admirably, almost expensively
dressed. "Now," Ludwig whispered into his friend's ear, as Cubas
with quaint and comical features was getting things ready for the
egg-fandago, "now is your chance to get back your ring."

"My dear goose," said Euchar, "don't you see it is on my finger? I
found I had taken it off along with my glove; I discovered that on the
same evening when I thought I had lost it."

Emanuela's dancing took everybody by storm, no one having ever seen
such a thing before. Euchar kept his gaze fixed upon her earnestly.
Ludwig broke out into exclamations of the utmost rapture. Victorine,
close to whom he was sitting, whispered to him, "Hypocrite! You dare to
pretend to speak of love to me while you are devoted to this brazen
little wretch of a Spanish egg-dancer! Don't dare to look at her again,
sir!"

Ludwig was considerably discomposed on the whole by Victorine's passion
for him, with its tendency to flame out into jealousy without any
rational cause. He said to himself, "I really am one of the luckiest
fellows in the world; but all the same, this sort of thing rather bores
a man."

When she had ended her dance Emanuela took the guitar and began singing
Spanish ballads of cheerful, happy character. Ludwig begged her to sing
that splendid thing which had so greatly delighted Euchar. She at once
began--

"Laurel immortal al gran Palafox," etc.

Her enthusiastic delivery of these lines waxed in fervour as she went
on, her voice swelle