The four guests would not separate and
preferred to walk; the Duke's infirmities obliged him to get into his
gondola.
At about two in the morning anybody passing the Memmi palace would
have seen light pouring out of every window across the Grand Canal,
and have heard the delightful overture to _Semiramide_ performed at
the foot of the steps by the orchestra of the _Fenice_, as a serenade
to la Tinti.
The company were at supper in the second floor gallery. From the
balcony la Tinti in return sang Almavida's _Buona sera_ from _Il
Barbiere_, while the Duke's steward distributed payment from his
master to the poor artists and bid them to dinner the next day, such
civilities as are expected of grand signors who protect singers, and
of fine ladies who protect tenors and basses. In these cases there is
nothing for it but to marry all the _corps de theatre_.
Cataneo did things handsomely; he was the manager's banker, and this
season was costing him two thousand crowns.
He had had all the palace furnished, had imported a French cook, and
wines of all lands.
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