In St. Evrémond's piece, which was published but not played, "Chrisotine" is, so to speak, opera-struck. She thinks of nothing but Lulli, or "Baptiste," as she affectionately calls him, after the manner of Louis XVI. and his Court; sings all day long, and in fact has altogether abandoned speech for song. "Perrette," the servant, tells "Chrisotine" that her father wishes to see her. "Why disturb me at my songs," replies the young lady, singing all the time. The attendant complains to the father, that "Chrisotine" will not answer her in ordinary spoken language, and that she sings about the house all day long. "Chrisotine" corroborates "Perrette's" statement, by addressing a little _cavatina_ to her parent, in which she protests against the harshness of those who would hinder her from singing the tender loves of "Hermione" and "Cadmus." "Speak like other people, Chrisotine," exclaims old "Chrisard," or I will issue such an edict against operas that they shall never be spoken of again where I have any authority." "My father, Baptiste; opera, my duty to my parents; how am I to decide between you?" exclaims the young girl, with a tragic indecision as painful as that of Arnold, the son of Tell, hesitating between his Matilda and his native land. [Sidenote: ST. EVREMOND'S BURLESQUE.] "You hesitate between Baptiste and your father," cries the old gentleman. "_O tempora! O mores!_" (only in French). "Tender mother! Cruel father! and you, O Cadmus! Unhappy Cadmus! I shall see you no more," sings "Chrisotine;" and soon afterwards she adds, still singing, that she "would rather die than speak like the vulgar. It is a new fashion at the court (she continues), and since the last opera no one speaks otherwise than in song. When one gentleman meets another in the morning, it would be grossly impolite not to sing to him:--'_Monsieur comment vous portez vous?_' to which the other would reply--'_Je me porte à votre service._' "FIRST GENTLEMAN.--'_Après diner, que ferons nous?_' "SECOND GENTLEMAN.--'_Allons voir la belle Clarisse._' "The most ordinary things are sung in this manner, and in polite society people don't know what it means to speak otherwise than in music." _Chrisard._--"Do people of quality sing when they are with ladies?" _Chrisotine._--"Sing! sing! I should like to see a man of the world endeavour to entertain company with mere talk in the old style. He would be looked upon as one of a by-gone period. The servants would laugh at him." _Chrisard._--"And in the town?"