comparatively happy, to commence a new engagement. This was the
third year of her theatrical life, and Teresa was now nearly twenty
years of age, and though so young, she possessed the manners of an
accomplished, experienced woman. It was a matter of wonder to all,
that amid such a throng of suitors as she was known to possess, she
yet remained Teresa Zampieri; but few dared request the guardianship
of the peerless girl, for it seemed as though between her and
themselves a vast gulf lay. And notwithstanding superior rank and
position, many a noble felt himself awed by the unaffected dignity
of the actress.

One evening as the breathless multitude were listening to the soft,
high note the songstress had already sustained for several measures,
as her eyes suddenly rested on a figure in a box near the stage, it
was interrupted by a wild, piercing shriek from the blanched lips of
Teresa, who instantly fell senseless. In a second all was confusion.
The orchestra stopped short in the middle of a note, the curtain was
speedily lowered, several ladies fainted, and the audience were in a
fever of excitement, each one talking to his neighbor.

"We must be careful of our treasure," said one, "or we shall lose
it."

"What is the matter?" eagerly asked another.

"That last note was held too long," suggested a third.

"A touch of the heart complaint I should think," etc.

When the manager announced that Signorini Zampieri requested the