Her words surprised me not a little, for I had heard of infallible men,
but never of women; moreover, the woman I was now going to see was also
a "mother in the house," a successor to this very Isarte. Fearing that I
had touched on a dangerous topic, I said no more, and proceeding on our
way, we soon reached the mother's room, the large glass door of which
now stood wide open. In the pale light of the moon--for there was no
other in the room--we found Chastel on the couch where I had seen her
before, but she was lying extended at full length now, and had only one
attendant with her.

Yoletta approached her, and, stooping, touched her lips to the pale,
still face. "Mother," she said, "I have brought Smith again; he is
anxious to say something to you, if you will hear him."

"Yes, I will hear him," she replied. "Let him sit near me; and now go
back, for your voice is needed. And you may also leave me now," she
added, addressing the other lady.

The two then departed together, and I proceeded to seat myself on a
cushion beside the couch.

"What is it you wish to say to me?" she asked. The words were not very
encouraging, but her voice sounded gentler now, and I at once began.
"Hush," she said, before I had spoken two words. "Wait until this
ends--I am listening to Yoletta's voice."

Through the long, dusky gallery and the open doors soft strains of music
were floating to us, and now, mingling with the others, a clearer,
bell-like voice was heard, which soared to greater heights; but soon