'None of you move.

Whoever takes the first step takes the false step; I see that.' 'We have no arms, Luciano.' 'We have the people behind us.' There was a fiercer tempest in the body of the house, and, on a sudden, silence.

Men who had invaded the stage joined the Italian guard surrounding Vittoria, telling that the lights had been extinguished; and then came the muffled uproar of universal confusion.

Some were for handing her down into the orchestra, and getting her out through the general vomitorium, but Carlo and Luciano held her firmly by them.

The theatre was a rageing darkness; and there was barely a light on the stage.