The audience apparently regarded listening to the opera as a part-time activity. In fact, everyone spoke of, or carried on, his own affairs, without paying the least regard to the stage or the singers, except when the singers did something especially remarkable. The audience applauded wildly, for example, when the prima donna sang of leaves, of leaves of gold, and leaves of gold there grew; or when the baritone sang of wrath, of ruin, and of a red nightfall; or when the tenor sang in tune. Then the conversations and love-making resumed their normal course.
Suddenly, Arafrantz saw a female of his acquaintance, and gave a start. Nothing escaped Réginard‘s attention (except perhaps the astonishing revelation that Legoletto was a woman in disguise), and so he immediately asked his friend, "Do you know that woman?"
"Yes," replied Arafrantz. "Her name is the Countess G, which might stand for Galadriella or giardino, or even Gondorrea. She is a Vanyetian, and very charming and witty. How do you find her?"
"Ravishing! When will you introduce me to her?"
"As soon as the curtain descends."
"This balrogue of a first act is too long!"
