Summary

Opening night for the new opera is a pastiche of flowers, congratulations, imperfect costumes, and — music! The boxes are filled with Vanderbilts, Cushings, Whitneys, and Steeles. Enricio Cruso is in fine form, and his singing brings tears and cheers to the audiences. A group of soldiers admitted as a public service gives a standing ovation afterwards. Vito leaves for the press room and Enza makes her way slowly through the happy throng.

She hears her name shouted from somewhere in the phalanx of humanity moving toward the front doors. “Enza!” once again rises from the turmoil. Then she feels a hand on her forearm, looks up and straight into the blue eyes of Ciro. Both are a bit shocked at their impromptu meeting. “What are you doing here?” Ciro asks. Enza quickly scans Ciro’s uniform and replies with “You joined...