a quarter before eight
To the eyes of the public was to be exhibited his select troupe , whose fame the newspapers had for days been proclaiming . It was reported that among the actresses was a very beautiful voice , with a figure even more beautiful , and if credit could be given to rumor , her amiability surpassed even her voice and figure . At half-past seven in the evening there were no more tickets to be had , not even though they had been for Padre Salvi himself in his direct need , and the persons waiting to enter the general admission already formed a long queue . In the ticket-office there were scuffles and fights , talk of filibusterism and races , but this did not produce any tickets , so that by a quarter before eight fabulous prices were being offered for them . The appearance of the building , profusely illuminated , with flowers and plants in all the doors and windows , enchanted the new arrivals to such an extent that they burst out into exclamations and applause . A large crowd surged about the entrance , gazing enviously at those going in , those who came early from fear of missing their seats . Laughter , whispering , expectation greeted the later arrivals , who disconsolately joined the curious crowd , and now that they could not get in contented themselves with watching those who did .