"Come, let us drink, my children," cried Leonin, striking off the head of one of the champagne bottles. Filling three glasses, he handed one to Ödön and one to Jéza; and when they had half emptied them he exchanged and refilled them. "Drink to the bottom this time," he said. "That is right. Now you have drunk love to each other." The wine loosed the girl's tongue and she began to chatter in the liveliest fashion. From the hall the notes of the orchestra reached them, and she sang an accompaniment. Ödön sat with his back against the grating and did not once turn around to see any of the pieces that were being presented. Leonin, on the other hand, looked through the grating at every new number and indulged in various random comments. "Well, Jéza," he asked at length, "haven't you any number to-night?" "No, I am having a holiday," she replied. "But couldn't you oblige my friend by giving one of your productions?" Jéza sat upright and stole a look at Ödön. "If he wishes it," she answered. "What shall I ask for?" asked Ödön, turning to Leonin. "Oh, I forgot," replied the latter; "you didn't know that Jéza was an _artiste_, and above all things unexcelled as a rider. Her number is always given the place of honour,--at the end of the programme. Choose any of her rôles." "But I am not acquainted with the young lady's repertoire," returned the other. "Barbarian! not to know Jéza's masterpieces after living for half a year in a civilised country. Well, I'll name the best ones to you. '_La Reine Amalasunthe_;' '_La Diablesse_;' '_Étoile qui File_;' '_La Bayadère_;' '_La Nymphe Triomphante_;' '_Diane qui Chasse Actæon_;' '_Mazeppa_'--" "No, that is not among them!" cried the girl, interrupting the speaker. "Ödön, don't let her fool you," said Leonin; "choose Ma--" But he was stopped by Jéza, who had sprung from her seat and was holding her hand over his mouth. He struggled to free himself, but meanwhile Ödön ended the contest by making his choice. "Mazeppa!" he called, and Jéza turned her back to them both in a pet and leaned against the wall. Leonin, however, gained his point. "You have always refused me that," said he; "but I told you the time would come when you would have to yield." The girl threw a look at Ödön. "Very well, then; it shall be done." And therewith she disappeared. Ödön now turned his attention for the first time to the arena, a vaulted space of sixty yards in diameter, half enclosed by a semicircle of grated boxes. No spectators were to be seen, but the cigar-smoke that, made its way through the gratings betrayed their presence. The side of the arena unenclosed by boxes was draped with hangings on which were depicted various mythological scenes, while an occasional door broke up the wall-space and relieved the monotony.