On the night of a great ball at the Duke's palace he was thinking of his latest love, Gilda, the jester's daughter. The Duke usually confided his affairs to his servant Borsa, and the ball had no sooner begun than he began to speak with Borsa of his newest escapade. He declared that he had followed Gilda to the chapel where she went each day, and that he had made up his mind to speak with her the next time he saw her. "Where does this pretty girl live, your Highness?" "In an obscure and distant street where I have followed her each day. At night a queer-looking fellow is admitted, thus I am sure she has a lover. By the way, whom do you think that fellow to be?" the Duke asked with a laugh. "Pray tell me." "None other than Rigoletto!" the Duke cried, laughing more boisterously. "What do you think of that--the little hunchback!" "And does he know that you have followed this sweetheart of his?" "Not he. But look at all of these beautiful women," he exclaimed with delight as the company began to assemble from another room. "Alas, a man hardly knows whom to love among so many beauties," he sighed heavily. "But after all, I think it must be the Countess Ceprano! do you see her? Most beautiful!" "Just the same I advise you not to let the Count Ceprano hear you!" Borsa advised. Ah, in my heart, all are equally cherished, Every thought of exclusion within me I smother, None is dearer to me than another, In their turn, I for each one would die, the Duke sang gaily, giving his friend and servant the wink. Now, Rigoletto was in the habit of assisting the Duke in all his wrongdoing, and on this night the Duke confided to him his new enchantment--not Gilda, but the Countess Ceprano. "The Countess has a jealous husband, Rigoletto; pray what do you advise?" "Why, that you carry her off, to be sure; or else get rid of her husband the Count; maybe that would be the easiest way." The Duke was wild enough to undertake almost anything, and so with the help of Rigoletto he was ready to undertake that. Hence, he made desperate love to the Countess all the evening, while the Count became more and more angry, and followed the pair continually about. Even the courtiers were a good deal disgusted with the Duke's conduct, and they especially hated Rigoletto, who they thought was the real author of most of the Duke's misconduct. "I don't know what we are coming to," Marullo exclaimed. Yes, and 'tis here but as elsewhere! 'Tis gambling and feasting, duelling and dancing; And love-making always, wherever he goes. To-day he's for pastime, besieging the countess, While we watch the husband and laugh at his woes! This condition of things exactly suited the malevolent dwarf, however. After the Count had followed the Duke and Countess about the palace half the night, the Duke came into the room in a rage.