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All the guests of the cardinal were asseantic hall, and

all eyes were anxiously bent upon the mysterious curtain, which still

remained closed

Now resounded a little bell, and Cardinal Bernis sly turned to

Natalie, who sat by his side

"I think this mystery is about to be unveiled," said he

"And I aracefully

laying her hand upon her heart "My heart beats as violently as if a

mystery were about to be unveiled in my own breast Do you believe in

presentiments, Sir Cardinal?"

Bernis had not time to answer her Just at that eneral "Ah!" of admiration was heard, and, suddenly carried

away by their feelings, the whole audience broke into extravagant

and long-enduring applause, crying and shouting, "Evviva Corilla!

l'improvisatrice Corilla!"

And in fact it was an admirable picture which was there presented to the

audience Those flower-strewed steps led up to an altar, upon the centre

of which, betreaths of flowers, shot up two dark-red flaust as a Grecian priestess,

the improvisatrice Corilla Her eyes raised to the heavens, her features

lighted up with a rosy glow by the red fla upon an urn, while her left arm was stretched upward toward

heaven, she thus resee fro with ecstasy, with suppressed breath and