“Atthismomentfoldingdoorswerethrownopen，andsupperwasannounced。Iofferedmyarm，sheroseandtookitinsilence。
Thissilenceshemaintainedduringthefirstpartofthemeal，despiteherhusband’sbrilliantconversationandalmostuproariousspirits。Butbyandbyabrightcolormountedtohercheeksandlustertohereyes。IsupposeyouwillthinkmehorriblyunpoeticalifIaddthatshedrankseveralglassesofchampagneoneaftertheother，afactwhichperhapsmayaccountforthechange。
“Atanyrateshespokeandlaughedandlookedlovely，andIdidnotwonderthatthebaroncouldhardlykeephiseyesoffher。Butwhetheritwasherwifelyanxietyornot——itwasevidenthermindwasnotateasethroughitall，andIfanciedthatherbrightnesswasfeverish，hermerrimentslightlyhysterical。
“Aftersupper——anexquisiteoneitwas——weadjournedtogether，inforeignfashion，tothedrawing-room；thebaronthrewhimselfintoachairand，somewhatwiththeairofapasha，demandedmusic。Hewasflushed；theveinsofhisforeheadwereswollenandstoodoutlikecords；thewinedrunkattablewaspotent:eventhroughmyphlegmaticframeitranhotly。
“Shehesitatedamomentortwo，thendocilelysatdowntothepiano。ThatshecouldsingIhavealreadymadeclear:howshecouldsing，withwhatpathos，passion，aswellasperfectart，I