"Marietta, O Marietta!" cried she, breathlessly, "help me to find the means quickly, by one blow to satisfy my vengeance!--a means which will prove to the king that I am not, as be supposes, dying from grief and despair; that I am still the Barbarina--the adored, triumphant, all-conquering artiste--a means which will convince the whole world that I am not deserted, scorned, but that I myself am the inconstant one. Oh, where shall I find the means to rise triumphantly from this humiliation? where--" "Silence, silence, sister! some one is coming. Let no one witness your agitation." The servant entered and announced that Baron von Swartz, director of the theatre, wished to know if the signora would appear in the ballet of the evening. "Say to him that I will dance with pleasure," said Barbarina. When once more alone, Marietta entreated her to be quiet, and not increase her agitation by appearing in public. Barbarina interrupted her impatiently. "Do you not see that already the rumor of my disgrace has reached the theatre? Do you not see the malice of this question of Baron Swartz? They think the Barbarina is so completely broken, crushed by the displeasure of the king, that she can no longer dance. They have deceived themselves--I will dance tonight. Perhaps I shall go mad; but I will first refute the slander, and bring to naught the report of my disgrace with the king." And now the servant entered and announced Monsieur Cocceji. "You cannot possibly receive him," whispered Marietta. "Say that you are studying your role, for the evening; say that you are occupied with your toilet. Say what you will, only decline to receive him." Barbarina looked thoughtful for a moment. "No," said she, musingly, "I will not dismiss him. Conduct Cocceji to my boudoir, and say he may expect me." The moment the servant left them, Barbarina seized her sister's hand. "I have prayed to God for means to revenge myself, and He has heard my prayer. You know Cocceji loves me, and has long wooed me in vain. Well, then, today he shall not plead in vain; to-day I will promise him my love, but I will make my own conditions. Come, Marietta!" Glowing and lovely from excitement, Barbarina entered the boudoir where the young Councillor Cocceji, son of the minister, awaited her. With an enchanting smile, she advanced to meet him, and fixing her great burning eyes upon him, she said softly, "Are you not yet cured of your love for me?" The young man stepped back a moment pale and wounded, but Barbarina stood before him in her wondrous beauty; a significant, enchanting smile was on her lip, and in her eyes lay something so sweetly encouraging, so bewildering, that he was reassured, he felt that it was not her intention to mock at his passion. "This love is a fatal malady of which I shall never be healed," he said warmly; "a malady which resists all remedies." "What if I return your love?" said she in soft, sweet tones.