Turchi; the
wound on his face, betraying his emotion, became of a deep-red color. And
yet it was absolutely necessary for him to appear calm, and to reply
cordially to the kind salutation of the young girl; for there were at
least twenty persons near him and within hearing of what passed.

By a powerful effort he mastered his emotion, referring it to the
impression made upon him by her appearance. He spoke also of sacrifices,
which, even when voluntarily made, painfully wound the heart; of a
self-abnegation which could find its consolation in the happiness of a
friend, but which failed not to leave a sting in the soul that had
cherished fallacious hopes.

Mary understood him, and was grateful for his kindness.

"Thanks, thanks, signor," she said, warmly, as she passed on to salute
other guests.

When Mary approached the piano, and addressed a few kind words to Master
Christian, many Italian gentlemen begged her to favor them with a
_canzone_.

With her father's permission, the young girl consented to gratify the
guests. She hesitated awhile as to the language in which to sing, and was
turning over the leaves of a book handed her by Master Christian. The old
Deodati expressed a wish to hear a song in the language of the Low
Countries, and begging pardon of the Italian gentlemen, Mary said she
would sing a _Kyrie Eleison_ in her maternal tongue.

Master Christian seated himself at the piano, to accompany her, and
commenced a prelude.

The first notes of the young girl were like a gentle murmur. By degrees
her voice became firmer and stronger, until at the end of each strophe the
word _eleison_ rose like a sonorous hymn to heaven.

The measure was remarkably slow, simple, and full of a tranquil melody.
Mary evidently felt the peculiar character of this chant, for instead of
endeavoring to add to the effect, she softened still more her singularly
sweet voice, and let the words drop slowly from her lips, as if the
songstress herself were ravished in contemplation and was listening to
celestial music.

At first the Italian gentlemen exchanged glances, as if to express the
thought that this chant could not compare with the brilliant lively style
of the Italian music. But this unfavorable opinion was not of long
duration. They, like all others, soon yielded to the irresistible
fascination of Mary's exquisite voice. They listened with such rapt
attention that not the slightest movement was made in the room, and one
m