But the woman's first and dominant thought must ever be to find some escape from her bondage." With that she jumped up and ran out of the room, as if taken suddenly ill.

Her hostess followed to see what was the matter, and found her sitting in a corner of the adjoining apartment.
"You are weeping ?" "Not at all; never merrier in my life!" Nevertheless, two tears were shining in the fair Cyrene's eyes.
Next she ran to the piano and began to rattle off "La Gitana," which Cerito had just made so popular throughout Europe.
"Have you the score ?" asked the marchioness, turning to Blanka.
"No, but I can play it from memory." "Then play it to me, please." Blanka complied, and the other began to dance "La Gitana" to her playing.

The spirit and feeling, the coquettish grace and seductive charm, which the dancer put into the movements of her lithe form, challenge description.

If only a man could have seen her then! From sheer amazement Blanka found herself unable to control her fingers, which struck more than one false note.
"Faster! Put more fire into it!" cried the dancer.

But Blanka could not go on.
"Ah, you don't remember it, after all." "I can't play when I look at you," was the reply; and the Marchioness Caldariva believed her.