He does not play in public any longer, from some odd fancy of his." Nino hesitated.

Of all instruments he loved the violin best, and in Rome he had had but little opportunity of hearing it well played.
Concerts were the rarest of luxuries to him, and violinists in Rome are rarer still.
"What is his name, signore ?" he asked, unbending a little.
"You must guess that when you hear him," said the old gentleman, with a short laugh.

"But I give you my word of honour he is a great musician.

Will you come, or must I offer you still further attractions ?" "What might they be ?" asked Nino.
"Nay; will you come for what I offer you?
If the music is not good, you may go away again." Still Nino hesitated.

Sorrowful and fearful of the future as he was, his love gnawing cruelly at his heart, he would have given the whole world for a strain of rare music if only he were not forced to make it himself.