The accompanying music became faster as the inner curtain slowly rose, revealing the great stage set for the first act.
He looked at it carelessly, indifferently, his thoughts elsewhere, yet dimly conscious of the sudden hush all about him, the leaning forward of figures intent upon catching the opening words.

The scene portrayed was that of a picturesque Swiss mountain village.

It was brilliant in coloring, and superbly staged.

For a moment the scenery; with great snow-capped peaks for background, caught his attention.

If was realistic, beautifully faithful to nature, and he felt his heart throb with sudden longing to be home, to be once more in the shadow of the Rockies.