with bursts of laughter.

'You have a fortune in your throat, mademoiselle,' he said, with a
bow, 'and I assure you I have heard all the great singers of to-day
from Patti downwards.'

'I have only been able to teach her very little,' said Madame,
looking affectionately at Miss Marchurst, who now stood by the
table, blushing at Vandeloup's praises, 'but when we find the
Devil's Lead I am going to send her home to Italy to study singing.'

'For the stage?' asked Vandeloup.

'That is as it may be,' replied Madame, enigmatically, 'but now, M.
Vandeloup, you must sing us something.'

'Oh, does he sing?' said Kitty, joyously.

'Yes, and play too,' answered Madame, as she vacated her seat at the
piano and put her arm round Kitty, 'sing us something from the
"Grand Duchess", Monsieur.'

He shook his head.

'Too gay for such an hour,' he said, running his fingers lightly
over the keys; 'I will give you something from "Faust".'

He had a pleasant tenor voice, not very strong, but singularly pure
and penetrating, and he sang 'Salve Dinora', the exquisite melody of
which touched the heart of Madame Midas with a vague longing for