m she was designed to capture,
in order to further some unknown plans of her three protectors. She did
not count her brother; she recognised him as a mere pawn in the game.

'Mademoiselle to take part in the theatricals?' Madame de Ruth was
saying; 'delightful! but which part? You must sing, my dear. Your brother
says your voice is wonderful! Let us hear you now. Come, mes amis!
music!' Reischach led the newcomer to the clavichord in the panelled
room, and the company gathered near the garden-door to listen.

Wilhelmine ran her fingers over the keyboard. The instrument was old, and
though the notes rang true, they were faint and jingly. A lesser artist
might have endeavoured to amplify the chords, but Wilhelmine played her
accompaniment in thin arpeggios, making the clavichord sound like a
stringed instrument, and achieving a charming effect. She sang a gay
little sixteenth-century song, such a one as perchance Chastelard may
have sung to Marie of Scots in their happy days in France--a light
melody, with a sudden change to the minor in the refrain, like a sigh
following laughter. Wilhelmine's hearers, who had expected a beautiful,
untrained voice from this provincial lady, listened in unfeigned
surprise, and when the song was ended they crowded round her with
expressions of delight.

'We have found a pearl!' declared Madame de Ruth. 'Stafforth, what is
this play which they are going to act at Stuttgart? Who sings in it?
Madame de Geyling?--of course! Well, and after?--no one? Well, then,
Mademoiselle shall sing! Let it come as a surprise!'

Reischach approached.

'Monsieur de Reischach, I count you in our plot! We want our new friend
to make a sensation in Stuttgart. We can rely on your discretion? Let her
come as a surprise, I beg you! Remember that the lute of Orpheus itself
could not have charmed the beasts had they been warned to expect too
much.'

Reischach bowed. 'No word from me, Madame, to warn--the beasts!'

Madame de Ruth laughed. 'Do not apply my allegory literally,' she said.

The company broke up; the Duke of Zollern's coach was at the door. Also
Monsieur de Stafforth took his leave, for he intended to ride to
Stuttgart that evening.

As Zollern bade farewell to his hostess, she whispered, 'She will do
admirably! she will go far.'

'Too far, perhaps, Madame,' he answered; 'too far for all our
calculations, and for many people's comfort!'

CHAPTER V

THE PLAY-ACTING

AT eight of the