On entering her box, Corinne was immediately recognised, and the remembrance of the Capitol adding to the interest which she usually inspired, the theatre resounded with applause.  From every part of the house they cried, “Long live Corinne!” and the musicians themselves, electrified by this general emotion, began to play victorious strains; for men are led to associate triumph of every sort with war and battle.  Corinne was intimately affected with these universal tokens of admiration and respect.  The music, the applause, the bravos, and that indefinable impression, which a multitude of people expressing one sentiment always produces, awakened those feelings which, in spite of her efforts to conceal them, appeared in her eyes suffused with tears, and the palpitation of her heart equally visible.  Oswald, jealous of this emotion, approached her, saying in a low voice,—­“It would be a pity madam to snatch you from this brilliant popularity, it is certainly equal to love, since it produces the same effect in your heart.”—­Having spoken thus, he retired to the further end of the box without waiting for any reply.  These words produced the most cruel agitation in the bosom of Corinne, and in a moment destroyed all the pleasure she received from these expressions of applause, which principally gave her delight because they were witnessed by Oswald.

The concert began—­he who has not heard Italian singing can have no idea of music!  Italian voices are so soft and sweet, that they recall at once the perfume of flowers, and the purity of the sky.  Nature has destined the music for the climate:  one is like a reflection of the other.  The world is the work of one mind, expressed in a thousand different forms.  The Italians, during a series of ages, have been enthusiastically fond of music.  Dante, in his poem of purgatory, meets with one of the best singers of his age; being entreated, he sings one of his delicious airs, and the ravished spirits are lulled into oblivion of their sufferings, until recalled by their guardian angel.  The Christians, as well as the pagans, have extended the empire of music beyond the grave.  Of all the fine arts, it is that which produces the most immediate effect upon the soul.  The others are directed to some particular idea; but this appeals to the intimate source of our existence, and entirely changes our inmost soul.  What is said of Divine Grace, which suddenly transforms the heart, may humanly speaking be applied to the power of melody; and among the presentiments of the life to come, those which spring from music are not to be despised.