"'Mademoiselle, (he spoke French), I am your humble servant. You have a very pleasant place to walk in--air, room, and a fine view, I congratulate you, for you have an easy time in prison. The weather is magnificent, and it is a real pleasure to be at Spandau, when the sun is so bright. _Broum, broum._'
"These insolent jests so disgusted me, that I did not speak. He was not disconcerted and said--
"'I ask your pardon for speaking to you in a tongue which perhaps you do not understand. I forgot that you are an Italian--an Italian singer--a superb voice, they say. I have a passion for music, and therefore wish to make your time as pleasant as my order will permit. Ah! where the devil did I have the honor of seeing you? I know your face perfectly--perfectly.'
"'At the Berlin Theatre, probably, for I sang there during the winter which has just passed.'
"'No; I was in Silesia. I was sub-adjutant at Glatz. Luckily, that devil Trenck made his escape while I was away, on duty, near the frontiers of Saxony. Otherwise I would not have been promoted, or been here, which, in consequence of its proximity to Berlin, I like very much. The life of a garrison officer, madame, is very melancholy. You may imagine how _ennuyé_ one is when in a lonely country, and far from any large town, especially when one loves music as I do. Where had I the honor to meet you?'
"'I do not remember, sir, ever to have had that honor.'
"'I must have seen you on some stage in Italy or Vienna. You have travelled a great deal. How many theatres have you belonged to?'
"As I did not reply, he continued, insolently, 'It matters not; I will perhaps remember. What did I say? Ah! you, too, suffer from _ennui._'
"'But are you not in close confinement? Is not your name Porporina?'
"'Just so, prisoner No. 3. Well, do you not wish for amusement--for company?'
"'Not at all, sir,' said I, thinking he intended to offer me his.
"'As you please. It is a pity. There is another prisoner here, extremely well-bred--a charming woman, who, I am sure, would be delighted to make your acquaintance.'
"'Amelia--_broum--broum_; on my word I do not know. You are curious, I see. Ah! that is a regular prison-fever.'
"I was sorry that I had repelled the advances of Mayer, for after having despaired of making the acquaintance of this mysterious Amelia, and having abandoned the idea, I felt myself attracted by a feeling of pity towards her. I tried then to be more pleasant to this disagreeable man, and he soon offered to put me in connection with No. 2. Thus he called Amelia.