Hedwig blushed and turned away, busying herself with her books.

At that moment Graf von Lira entered from the next room.

Nino bowed.
"Curious is it," said the count, "that you and the about-to-make-his- appearance tenor should the same name have." "He is a near relation, Signor Conte,--the same whom you heard sing in the Pantheon.

I hope you will like his voice." "That is what we shall see, Signor Professore," answered the other severely.

He had a curious way of bowing, as though he were made only in two pieces, from his waist to his heels, and from his waist to the crown of his head.