that most picturesque of all dresses. The Marchese Lamberto was at
the ball, of course, but not in costume. Perhaps the most striking
figure in the rooms, however, was one of those few persons who have
been mentioned as present, but not belonging to Ravenna, or to the
class of its nobles. This was a lady, well known at that day
throughout Italy as Bianca Lalli--"La Lalli," or "La Bianca," in
theatrical parlance--for she was one of the first singers of the
day. Special circumstances--to be explained at a future page--had
rendered it possible for remote little Ravenna to secure the
celebrated artist for the Carnival, which was now expiring. The
Marchese Lamberto, who, among many other avocations and occupations,
all of them contributing in some way or other to the welfare and
advantage of his native city, was a great lover and connoisseur of
music, and patron of the theatre, had been mainly instrumental in
bringing La Lalli to Ravenna. The engagement had been a most
successful one. The "Diva Bianca" had sung through the Carnival,
charming all ears and hearts in Ravenna with her voice, and all eyes
with her very remarkable and fascinating beauty. And now, on this
last night of the festive season, she was the cynosure of all eyes
at the ball.

Bianca had, as it so happened, also chosen a Venetian costume of the
same period as that of Ludovico--about the middle of the sixteenth
century. In truth, it was mere chance that had led to this
similarity. And neither of them, as it happened, had mentioned to
the other the dress they intended to wear. Bianca, in fact, used as
she was to wear costumes of all sorts, and to outshine all beauties
near her in all or any of them, had thought nothing about her dress,
till the evening before; and then had consulted the Marchese
Lamberto on the subject: but had been so much occupied with him