Act III. The scene is the beautiful apartment of _Francesca_, where,

from an old tome, she is reading to her women the story of _Lancelot and Guenevere_. This episode has somewhat of the same charm as that which pervaded portions of the first act. Especially is this true, when to the accompaniment of archaic instruments, the women sing their measures in praise of spring, "Marzo è giunto, e Febbraio gito se n'è col ghiado" (March comes, and February goes with the wind today).

[Music]

The women dance and sing, until on a whispered word from her slave, _Francesca_ dismisses them. _Paolo_ has returned. The greeting from her to him is simple enough: "Benvenuto, signore mio cognato" (Welcome my lord and kinsman), but the music is charged with deeper significance.

[Music]

Even more pronounced is the meaning in the musical phrase at Francesca's words, "Paolo, datemi pace" (Paolo, give me peace).

[Music]

Together they read the story which _Francesca_ had begun reading to her women. Their heads come close together over the book. Their white faces bend over it until their cheeks almost touch; and when in the ancient love tale, the queen and her lover kiss, _Francesca's_ and _Paolo's_ lips meet and linger in an ecstasy of passion.