A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy

Yorick attends the opera, asking directions from a woman in a store. As she explains the directions three times, he stares into her eyes and then begins to flirt. She takes his behavior with a “slight courtesy” (33) as he forgets everything she tells him. Eventually, she tells him that a boy will be heading in the direction of the opera house and Yorick can follow him. While they wait for the boy, Yorick begins to feel her pulse.

The shopkeeper’s husband walks in as Yorick is still feeling her pulse. He remarks on the difference between the woman and her husband, which he believes would never happen in London. Before they can sit down again, the boy arrives and Yorick must follow him to the opera.

Before he leaves, the shopkeeper tries to give Yorick a pair of gloves, but none will fit. After staring into one another’s eyes, Yorick declares that “it is no matter” (35) and he takes several pairs of gloves and pays for them, wishing he could pay above the ticket price. He then follows the boy toward the opera district.