She dropped the ball of her chin in her throat; paused without ceremony; and recovered herself.

Vittoria had too severe an artistic instinct to court reality; and as much as she could she from that moment corrected the underlinings of Agostino's libretto.
On the other hand, Irma fell into all his traps, and painted her Austrian heart with a prodigal waste of colour and frank energy: 'Now Leonardo is my tool: Camilla is my slave: And she I hate goes forth to cool Her rage beyond the wave.
Joy! joy! Paid am I in full coin for my caressing; I take, but give nought, ere the priestly blessing.' A subtle distinction.

She insists upon her reverence for the priestly (papistical) blessing, while she confides her determination to have it dispensed with in Camilla's case.

Irma's known sympathies with the Austrian uniform seasoned the ludicrousness of many of the double-edged verses which she sang or declaimed in recitative.

The irony of applauding her vehemently was irresistible.
Camilla is charged with conspiracy, and proved guilty by her own admission.
The Act ends with the entry of Count Orso and his force; conspirators overawed; Camilla repudiated; Count Orso imperially just; Leonardo chagrined; Camillo pardoned; Michiella triumphant.