nd to laugh at the hysterical 'Minerva of the North,' who
paid the poets and musicians, and went into such convulsions of
appreciation when their works pleased her that the stability of her huge
black wig was in danger. The ladies' chairs were not close together, but
scattered about, as in a drawing-room, and almost every lady had her own
little court of admirers or parasites according to her age and looks.
Many of the younger ones were standing, or strolling about, in the
intervals of the entertainment, each closely attended by one or two fine
gentlemen; but as soon as a recitation of verses began, or a piece of
music, they all stood still where they were, and the hum of voices
instantly gave way to profound silence.

Ortensia was there too. She had come with her husband, and had been
graciously received by the Queen, who evidently knew nothing of Don
Alberto's serenade; but Stradella had then left her to join his
musicians, for he was to direct a part of his new oratorio as well as
sing an air in it himself, and Ortensia necessarily stayed behind with
the audience. Don Alberto Altieri at once came forward to take care of
her, and nine-tenths of the Roman ladies present immediately asked of
their attendant gentlemen who the handsome young woman in straw-coloured
silk might be, whose hair had 'quite the Venetian tinge,' and whom 'dear
Don Alberto seemed to know so well.' The result was that the occasion
was Ortensia's first real appearance in Roman society; and before her
husband was ready to go home, she had made the acquaintance of nearly
all the great ladies present.

The young man was delighted to show off his power and popularity before
her as he led her about, being convinced that it could not fail to make
an impression on her; for wherever he turned he was met by smiling faces,
and she was followed by eyes that envied the distinction conferred upon
her by the nephew of 'both the reigning Popes,' as the Romans called Pope
Clement and Cardinal Paluzzo Altieri. At the same time, the gossips were
beginning to wonder what Queen Christina-Minerva-Diana would say to her
favourite's conduct if she saw anything of it, though Don Alberto kept
well behind her as he piloted Ortensia from one great lady to another.

Then, all at once, the two had disappeared unnoticed. A dark young girl
with sad eyes and a sensitive though slightly irregular mouth had just
appeared on the stage, dressed as one of the Muses; that is to say, s