At half-past nine the two sisters ascended the grand staircase at the opera-house.

Just as they entered their box the curtain rose on the second scene of the second act of Aida, that containing the ballet and march.
Two young men, Roger de Puymartin and Louis de Martillet, were seated in the front of a stage-box.

The young ladies of the corps de ballet had not yet appeared, and these gentlemen, having no occupation, were amusing themselves with looking about the house.

The appearance of Miss Percival made a strong impression upon both.
"Ah! ah!" said Puymartin, "there she is, the little golden nugget!" "She is perfectly dazzling this evening, this little golden nugget," continued Martillet.

"Look at her, at the line of her neck, the fall of her shoulders--still a young girl, and already a woman." "Yes, she is charming, and tolerably well off into the bargain." "Fifteen millions of her own, and the silver mine is still productive." "Berulle told me twenty-five millions, and he is very well up in American affairs." "Twenty-five millions! A pretty haul for Romanelli!" "What?
Romanelli!" "Report says that that will be a match; that it is already settled." "A match may be arranged, but with Montessan, not with Romanelli.