times up and down the room; then paused
beside the easy-chair, and laid her clasped hands in Miss Jane's.

"You alone have a right to control me. Do with me as you think best. I
will not forsake the true, tender friend, who has done more for me
than all else on earth, or in heaven. For the present I remain here;
but allow me to say that I do not abandon my scheme. I relinquish none
of its details,--I only bide my time."

"'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' Thank you, my precious
little girl, for yielding to my wishes when they conflict with yours.
Some day you will rejoice that you made what seemed a sacrifice of
inclination on the altar of duty. Now, listen to me. Ulpian is so
enraptured with your voice, that, while he will never consent to this
stage-struck madness, he is exceedingly anxious that you should enjoy
every musical advantage, and is curious to ascertain to what degree of
perfection your voice can be trained. After consulting me, he wrote
two days ago to a celebrated professor of music in Philadelphia or New
York (I really forget where the man is now residing), and offered him
a handsome salary if he would come and teach you for at least six
months, or as much longer as he deems requisite. I believe the
gentleman is delicate and threatened with consumption, which obliges
him to spend the winters in a warm climate, and Ulpian first met him
in Italy. My boy thinks that the opinion of this Professor Von
Somebody is oracular in musical matters; and, as he has trained some
of the best singers in Europe, Ulpian wishes him to have charge of
your voice. Say nothing about it until we hear whether he can accept
our offer. Kiss me."

Salome's face crimsoned, and she said, hesitatingly,--

"Miss Jane, I can not consent that Dr. Grey should contribute one cent
toward my musical tuition. I can humbly and gratefully accept your
charitable aid, but not his. You love me, and therefore your bounty
is not oppressive or humiliating, but he only pities and tolerates
me, and I would starve in some gutter rather than live as the
recipient of his charity. If you can conveniently spare the money
necessary to give me additional cultivation, I shall thankfully
receive it, for Barilli has taught me all of which he is master,
and there is no one else in town in whom I have more confidence.
It was my desire and determination that the work of my hands should
pay for polishing my voice, but embroidery-fees would not suffic