of his age; men who can compact melodies full of
accomplished facts, pregnant with mighty poetry. Think of this; remember
it. The thought, repeated by you, will prove fruitful; it is melody, not
harmony, that can survive the shocks of time.

"The music of this oratorio contains a whole world of great and sacred
things. A work which begins with that introduction and ends with that
prayer is immortal--as immortal as the Easter hymn, _O filii et filioe_,
as the _Dies iroe_ of the dead, as all the songs which in every land
have outlived its splendor, its happiness, and its ruined prosperity."

The tears the Duchess wiped away as she quitted her box showed plainly
that she was thinking of the Venice that is no more; and Vendramin
kissed her hand.

The performance ended with the most extraordinary chaos of noises: abuse
and hisses hurled at Genovese and a fit of frenzy in praise of la Tinti.
It was a long time since the Venetians had had so lively an evening.
They were warmed and revived by that antagonism which is never lacking
in Italy, where the smallest towns always throve on the antagonistic
interests of two factions: the Geulphs and Ghibellines everywhere; the
Capulets and the Montagues at Verona; the Geremei and the Lomelli at
Bologna; the Fieschi and the Doria at Genoa; the patricians and the
populace, the Senate and tribunes of the Roman republic; the Pazzi and
the Medici at Florence; the Sforza and the Visconti at Milan; the Orsini
and the Colonna at Rome,--in short, everywhere and on every occasion
there has been the same impulse.

Out in the streets there were already _Genovists_ and _Tintists_.

The Prince escorted the Duchess, more depressed than ever by the loves
of Osiride; she feared some similar disaster to her own, and could only
cling to Emilio, as if to keep him next her heart.

"Remember your promise," said Vendramin. "I will wait for you in the
square."

Vendramin took the Frenchman's arm, proposing that they should walk
together on the Piazza San Marco while awaiting the Prince.

"I shall be only too glad if he should not come," he added.

This was the text for a conversation between the two, Vendramin
regarding it as a favorable opportunity for consulting the physician,
and telling him the singular position Emilio had placed himself in.

The Frenchman did as every Frenchman does on all occasions: he laughed.
Vendramin, who took the matter very seriously, was angry; but he was
mollified