She had never yet seen an Italian opera, and I felt certain that she wished to ascertain whether the Italian music deserved its universal fame.

But I was indeed surprised when she exclaimed, "What, dearest! You wish to go every evening to the opera ?" "I think, my love, that, if we did not go, we should give some excuse for scandal-mongers to gossip.

Yet, should you not like it, you know that there is no need for us to go.

Do not think of me, for I prefer our pleasant chat in this room to the heavenly concert of the seraphs." "I am passionately fond of music, darling, but I cannot help trembling at the idea of going out." "If you tremble, I must shudder, but we ought to go to the opera or leave Parma.

Let us go to London or to any other place.