The other guests crowded out into the hall to bid them good-by and to tell
the girl how much they had enjoyed the music. Mrs. Blackwell insisted upon
kissing the smooth cheek of the young musician, and whispered in her ear:
"You play very nicely, my dear. I should like to hear you again some
time." The kindness in her tone almost brought a rush of tears to the eyes
of the weary, anxious girl.

[Illustration]




III


Dunham hurried her off amid the goodbyes of the company, and in a moment
more they were shut into the semi-darkness of the four-wheeler and whirled
from the too hospitable door.

As soon as the door was shut, the girl began to tremble.

"Oh, we ought not to have done that!" she exclaimed with a shiver of
recollection. "They were so very kind. It was dreadful to impose upon
them. But--you were not to blame. It was my fault. It was very kind of
you."

"We did not impose upon them!" he exclaimed peremptorily. "You are my
friend, and that was all that we claimed. For the rest, you have certainly
made good. Your wonderful music! How I wish I might hear more of it some
time!"