itself to those who deserve it. A little bluff and rude at times; but
he's too busy to go about in kid gloves for fear of hurting sensitive
people's feelings."

"Why did you never take private lessons from him?" was her next
question. "I told you months ago, you remember, that you ought to.--Oh,
yes, you said they were too expensive, I know, but you could have
scraped a few marks together somehow. You managed to buy books, and
books were quite unnecessary. One lesson a fortnight would have brought
you' more into touch with Schwarz than all you have had in the class.
As it is, you don't know him any better than he knows you." And as she
refilled his tea-cup, she added: "You quoted Heinz to me just now. But
you and I can't afford to measure people by the same standards as
Heinz. We are everyday mortals, remember.--Besides, in all that counts,
he is not worth Schwarz's little finger."

"You're a warm advocate, Madeleine."

"Yes, and I've reason to be. No one here has been as kind to me as
Schwarz. I came, a complete stranger, and with not more than ordinary
talent. But I went to him, and told him frankly what I wanted to do,
how long I could stay, and how much money I had to spend. He helped me
and advised me. He has let me study what will be of most use to me
afterwards, and he takes as much interest in my future as I do myself.
How can I speak anything but well of him?--What I certainly didn't do,
was to go to him and talk ambiguously about feeling dissatisfied with
him ..."

"With myself, Madeleine. Haven't I made that clear?"

But Madeleine only sniffed.

"Well, it's over and done with now," she said after a pause. "And
talking about it won't mend it.--Tell me, rather, what you intend to
do. What are your plans?"

"Plans? I don't know. I haven't any. Sufficient unto the day, etc."

But of this she disapproved with open scorn. "Rubbish! When your time
here is all but up! And no plans!--One thing, I can tell you anyhow,
is, after to-day you needn't rely on Schwarz for assistance. You've
spoilt your chances with him. The only way of repairing the mischief
would be the lesson I spoke of--one a week as long as you re here."

"I couldn't afford it."

"No, I suppose not," she said sarcastically, and tore a piece of paper
that came under her fingers into narrow strips. "Tell me," she added a
moment later, in a changed tone: "where do you intend to settle when
you return to England? And have you begun to think of a