stately deliberation, throwing out signals with one arm at intervals;
_Antonio_ goes to meet him; they shake each other by both hands with
affectionate cordiality, and then turn their backs on one another,
as though, on reflection, they found they had less to say than they
had imagined. Presently _Bassanio_ recollects why he wanted to see
_Antonio_ so particularly, and, by describing a circle in the air,
and pointing from the electric lights above to the balcony stalls in
front, and tapping his belt, puts _Antonio_ at once in possession of
his chronic impecuniosity, his passion for _Portia_, and his need for
a small temporary loan. _Antonio_ curls up his fists, raises them to
the level of his ears, and then pretends to take his heart out of
his doublet and throw it at _Bassanio_, who fields it with graceful
dexterity, instantly comprehending with Italian intuition that his
friend is, like himself, rather pressed for ready money, but is
prepared to back a bill for any amount. _Shylock_ passes that way,
and is introduced by _Antonio_ as a gentleman in the city who is in
the habit of making advances on personal security without inquiry.
_Shylock_ extracts imaginary ink from his chest, and writes with
one hand on the palm of the other, and cringingly produces a
paper-knife--whereupon the transaction is complete, and the parties,
becoming aware that a Grand Triumphal Procession is waiting to come
in, and that they are likely to be in the way, tactfully suggest
to one another the propriety of retiring. After the Procession,
_Valentina_, "the lovely daughter of the proud _Visconti_" embarks
on a barge with her maidens to meet her betrothed.

(_In the Stalls, a Lady with a Catalogue, who hasn't been here before,
mistakes this proceeding for "The Launch of the Adriatica," but is
set right by a friend who has, and is consequently able to inform her
that_ Valentina _is_ Portia _on her way to plead against_ Shylock.)