"Sometimes I have fancied that perhaps, that day at Burstal, you
suddenly realized that love might be a more powerful upholder of life
than ambition ever could be."

"Sometimes? And you thought it first on the downs, or at any rate after
the concert?"

"I think I did."

"Do you realize," she said slowly, and as if with an effort, "that you
and I have never discussed my singing in 'Elijah'?"

"I know we never have."

"Let us do it now," she continued, still seeming to make a strong
effort.

"But why should we?"

"I want to. Didn't I sing well?"

"I thought you sang wonderfully well."

"Then what was it that went wrong? I've never understood."

"Why should you think anything went wrong? The critics said it was a
remarkable performance. You made a great effect."

"I believe I did. But I felt for the first time that day that I was out
of sympathy with my audience. And then"--she paused, but presently added