human
Oh, Eccellenza!
gpt
And now, then, said the Marchese,
human
The scrittura has been signed before a notary, Eccellenza.
gpt
Bravo! she sings--?
human
The whole repertorio, Signor Marchese! What is there she could not sing?
gpt
And three representations a week?
human
Three representations a week. My instructions were formal on that point, as your Excellency knows.
gpt
Good! quite right! And now what is she, this diva? What is she like? We know that Signor Ercole Stadione is as good a judge of the merits of the lady as of the singer? said the Marchese, with a smile.
human
I don't ask you about her singing, he added.
gpt
We have all heard all that can be said about that.
human
Well, Signor Marchese, if I am to speak my own poor opinion, I take the Signora Lalli to be decidedly the most beautiful woman it was ever my good fortune to see,
gpt
Paris himself, if called on to be umpire once again, could require no more conclusive testimony, my good Signor Ercole. But that is not exactly what I mean. Her mere beauty is a matter that does not interest me very keenly. What I want to know, is what sort of a scenic presence has she? Can she take the stage? I do not ask if she is captivating in a drawing-room; but has she the face and figure needed to be effective in the theatre? I need not tell you, my friend, that these are two different things, and do not always go together,