"Yes," said Monte-Leone, who had glanced sternly at him, "the list of our transactions. Go on, Pignana, go on, prove your account and diminish the total, contrary to your wont; above all, exhibit your vouchers; that is especially important." "Do not trouble yourself, Monsignore: I have all regular, and now you must pay in person." "In person," replied the Count. "Yes, Pignana, I will thus discharge my obligations without having recourse to a third party. Go thither, however, at once," said he, and he pushed the tailor into the next room. "You will find writing materials," he added, aside, "and no one to listen to you." "Excuse me, Signori," said he, speaking to his friends; "you have seen one of the greatest misfortunes of our rank, the necessity of civility to a fool who is a creditor." Just then Taddeo Rovero, who had gone out when Pignana entered, came in, introducing a handsome lad of about eighteen. "Count," said he, to Monte-Leone, "let me introduce you to Signor Gaetano Brignoli, a friend of my family." "Then, Signor," said the Count, "you are a friend of mine; for all whom they love are dear to me." "Ah! Count," said Gaetano, "how much uneasiness your trial has caused all at Sorrento! Especially to myself, who was particularly charged by the charming Aminta to inform her of all the details of the trial. I set out on the night before your trial to be one of the first in the hall." "I scarcely dare," said the Count, with an expression of great pleasure, "to think the Signorina entertains such interest in my behalf." "It was not precisely of yourself that she spoke," replied Gaetano, "but of my friend Taddeo, her brother, who was known to be compromised with you, and about whom she, naturally enough, was interested." The Count grew slightly pale as he saw this gratification wrested from him. "By-the-by, Signori," said Gaetano, "you have heard the news with which all the city and suburbs echo, and which makes almost as much noise as the trial of the Count Monte-Leone." "I trust," said the Count, bitterly, "that the news is more pleasant." "Infinitely more so," continued Gaetano. "Every one is talking of it, and crazed with it--especially myself, who am a _pazzo per la musica_, like the here of Fioravanti. You know, Signori, nothing is more pleasant than to win again a pleasure we fancy to have been lost to us." "Go on," said Taddeo, who had a presentiment that something pleasant was about to be related. The very mention of music made him quiver. "Well, Signori," said Gaetano, "the Sicilian siren, the fairy _La Felina_, sings to-night at San Carlo." "La Felina?" said all the listeners at once. "La Felina! impossible!" said Rovero. "She left Naples last night."