Donna Maria's slight change of attitude
had not escaped him, and he seemed to feel Elena's gaze riveted upon
him. What course should he pursue? He could not make up his mind whether
to accompany Donna Maria when she left the concert, or to approach
Elena, nor could he determine where this incident would be favourable to
him or otherwise with either of the ladies.
'I am going,' said Donna Maria, rising at the end of the movement.
'You will not wait till the end?'
'No, I must be home by five o'clock.'
'Do not forget--to-morrow morning----'
She held out her hand. It was perhaps the air of the close room that
sent a flush to her pale cheek. A velvet mantle of a dull leaden shade,
with a deep border of chinchilla, covered her to her feet, and amid the
soft gray fur the violets were dying exquisitely. As she passed out, she
moved with such a queenly grace that many of the ladies turned to follow
her with their eyes. It was the first time that in this spiritual
creature, the pure Siennese Madonna, Andrea also beheld the elegant
woman of the world.
The third movement of the Quartett began. The daylight had diminished so
much that the yellow curtains had to be drawn back. Several other ladies
left. A low hum of conversation was audible here and there. The fatigue
and inattention which invariably marks the end of a concert began to
make itself apparent in the audience.
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