Act II. Salon on the ground floor of a country house near Paris,
occupied by _Alfred_ and _Violetta_, who for him has deserted the allurements of her former life. _Alfred_ enters in sporting costume. He sings of his joy in possessing _Violetta_: "Di miei bollenti spiriti" (Wild my dream of ecstasy).
From _Annina_, the maid of _Violetta_, he learns that the expenses of keeping up the country house are much greater than _Violetta_ has told him, and that, in order to meet the cost, which is beyond his own means, she has been selling her jewels. He immediately leaves for Paris, his intention being to try to raise money there so that he may be able to reimburse her.
After he has gone, _Violetta_ comes in. She has a note from _Flora_ inviting her to some festivities at her house that night. She smiles at the absurdity of the idea that she should return, even for an evening, to the scenes of her former life. Just then a visitor is announced. She supposes he is a business agent, whom she is expecting. But, instead, the man who enters announces that he is _Alfred's_ father. His dignity, his courteous yet restrained manner, at once fill her with apprehension. She has foreseen separation from the man she loves. She now senses that the dread moment is impending.
The elder _Germont's_ plea that she leave _Alfred_ is based both upon the blight threatened his career by his liaison with her, and upon another misfortune that will result to the family. There is not only the son; there is a daughter. "Pura siccome un angelo" (Pure as an angel) sings _Germont_, in the familiar air:
[Music: Pura siccome un angelo]
Should the scandal of _Alfred's_ liaison with _Violetta_ continue, the family of a youth, whom the daughter is to marry, threaten to break off the alliance. Therefore it is not only on behalf of his son, it is also for the future of his daughter, that the elder _Germont_ pleads. As in the play, so in the opera, the reason why the rôle of the heroine so strongly appeals to us is that she makes the sacrifice demanded of her--though she is aware that among other unhappy consequences to her, it will aggravate the disease of which she is a victim and hasten her death, wherein, indeed, she even sees a solace. She cannot yield at once. She prays, as it were, for mercy: "Non sapete" (Ah, you know not).
Finally she yields: "Dite alla giovine" (Say to thy daughter); then "Imponete" (Now command me); and, after that, "Morrò--la mia memoria" (I shall die--but may my memory).
_Germont_ retires. _Violetta_ writes a note, rings for _Annina_, and hands it to her. From the maid's surprise as she reads the address, it can be judged to be for _Flora_, and, presumably, an acceptance of her invitation. When _Annina_ has gone, she writes to _Alfred_ informing him that she is returning to her old life, and that she will look to _Baron Douphol_ to maintain her. _Alfred_ enters. She conceals the letter about her person. He tells her that he has received word from his father that the latter is coming to see him in an attempt to separate him from her. Pretending that she leaves, so as not to be present during the interview, she takes of him a tearful farewell.
_Alfred_ is left alone. He picks up a book and reads listlessly. A messenger enters and hands him a note. The address is in _Violetta's_ handwriting. He breaks the seal, begins to read, staggers as he realizes the import, and would collapse, but that his father, who has quietly entered from the garden, holds out his arms, in which the youth, believing himself betrayed by the woman he loves, finds refuge.
"Di Provenza il mar, il suol chi dal cor ti cancellò" (From fair Provence's sea and soil, who hath won thy heart away), sings the elder _Germont_, in an effort to soften the blow that has fallen upon his son.
[Music: Di Provenza il mar, il suol]
_Alfred_ rouses himself. Looking about vaguely, he sees _Flora's_ letter, glances at the contents, and at once concludes that _Violetta's_ first plunge into the vortex of gayety, to return to which she has, as he supposes, abandoned him, will be at _Flora's_ fête.
"Thither will I hasten, and avenge myself!" he exclaims, and departs precipitately, followed by his father.
The scene changes to a richly furnished and brilliantly lighted salon in _Flora's_ palace. The fête is in full swing. There is a ballet of women gypsies, who sing as they dance "Noi siamo zingarelle" (We're gypsies gay and youthful).
_Gaston_ and his friends appear as matadors and others as picadors. _Gaston_ sings, while the others dance, "È Piquillo, un bel gagliardo" ('Twas Piquillo, so young and so daring).
It is a lively scene, upon which there enters _Alfred_, to be followed soon by _Baron Douphol_ with _Violetta_ on his arm. _Alfred_ is seated at a card table. He is steadily winning. "Unlucky in love, lucky in gambling!" he exclaims. _Violetta_ winces. The _Baron_ shows evidence of anger at _Alfred's_ words and is with difficulty restrained by _Violetta_. The _Baron_, with assumed nonchalance, goes to the gaming table and stakes against _Alfred_. Again the latter's winnings are large. A servant's announcement that the banquet is ready is an evident relief to the _Baron_. All retire to an adjoining salon. For a brief moment the stage is empty.
_Violetta_ enters. She has asked for an interview with _Alfred_. He joins her. She begs him to leave. She fears the _Baron's_ anger will lead him to challenge _Alfred_ to a duel. The latter sneers at her apprehensions; intimates that it is the _Baron_ she fears for. Is it not the _Baron Douphol_ for whom he, _Alfred_, has been cast off by her? _Violetta's_ emotions almost betray her, but she remembers her promise to the elder _Germont_, and exclaims that she loves the _Baron_.
_Alfred_ tears open the doors to the salon where the banquet is in progress. "Come hither, all!" he shouts.
They crowd upon the scene. _Violetta_, almost fainting, leans against the table for support. Facing her, _Alfred_ hurls at her invective after invective. Finally, in payment of what she has spent to help him maintain the house near Paris in which they have lived together, he furiously casts at her feet all his winnings at the gaming table. She faints in the arms of _Flora_ and _Dr. Grenvil_.
The elder _Germont_ enters in search of his son. He alone knows the real significance of the scene, but for the sake of his son and daughter cannot disclose it. A dramatic ensemble, in which _Violetta_ sings, "Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core non puoi comprendere tutto l'amore" (Alfred, Alfred, little canst thou fathom the love within my heart for thee) brings the act to a close.