There was no need to beg masses in the churches or to live on the charity of devout families; they were able to earn their bread by an art conscientiously studied, and consequently they soon got places as organists and Chapel-masters; the Chapters really fought for them.

Some were more venturesome, and, anxious to see more of that musical world which had seemed to them while in their convents a vision of Paradise, entered the orchestras of theatres, many travelling even to Italy, transforming themselves so entirely that even their own former prior could not have recognised them.

One of these was my little father.

What a man! He was a good Christian, but he had thrown himself so thoroughly into music that he retained very little of the former friar.

When he was told that probably the convents would be re-established, he shrugged his shoulders with indifference, a new sonata interested him much more.