The baroness--you know, the lady who went with us to the Pantheon--is going with us to-night." It was the first time Hedwig had mentioned her, and it was evident that Nino's intimacy with the baroness had been kept a secret.

How long would it be so?
Mechanically he proceeded with the lesson, thinking mournfully that he should never give her another.

But Hedwig was more animated than he had ever seen her, and often stopped to ask questions about the coming performance.

It was evident that she was entirely absorbed with the thought of at last hearing to its fullest extent the voice that had haunted her dreams; most of all, with the anticipation of what this wonderful singer would be like.

Dwelling on the echo of his singing for months had roused her interest and curiosity to such a pitch that she could hardly be quiet a moment, or think calmly of what she was to enjoy; and yet she looked so very cold and indifferent at most times.