It was long past midnight, when the musician left the tavern with his friend.

Colonel Mulder looked after him and exclaimed to those left behind: "The fellow is possessed with a devil." The next morning the madrigal was practised at the burgomaster's house, while its master was presiding over a meeting at the town-hall.

Georg stood between Henrica and Maria.

So long as the musician found it necessary to correct errors and order repetitions, a cheerful mood pervaded the little choir, and Barbara, in the adjoining room, often heard the sound of innocent laughter; but when each had mastered his or her part and the madrigal was faultlessly executed, the ladies grew more and more grave.

Maria gazed fixedly at the sheet of music, and rarely had her voice sounded so faultlessly pure, so full of feeling.