timid
and unsure, about the BUREAU of the Conservatorium, Dove had taken him
up with what struck even the grateful new-comer as extraordinary
good-nature, going deliberately out of his way to be of service to him,
meeting him at every turn with assistance and advice. It was Dove who
had helped him over the embarrassments of the examination; it was
through Dove's influence that he had obtained a private interview with
Schwarz, and, in Dove's opinion, Schwarz was the only master in Leipzig
under whom it was worth while to study; the only one who could be
relied on to give the exhaustive TECHNIQUE that was indispensable,
without, in the process, destroying what was of infinitely more
account, the individuality, the TEMPERAMENT of the student. This and
more, Dove set forth at some length in their conversations; then,
warming to his work, he would go further: would go on to speak of
phrasings and interpretations; of an artistic use of the pedals, and
the legitimate participation of the emotions; of the confines of
absolute music as touched in the Ninth Symphony: would refer
incidentally to Schopenhauer and make Wagner his authority, using terms
that were new to his hearer, and, now and then, by way of emphasis,
bringing his palm down flat and noiselessly upon the table.--It had not
taken them long to become friends; fellow-countrymen, of the same age,
with similar aims and interests, they had soon slipped into one of the
easy-going friendships of youth.

A quarter to five! As the strokes from the neighbouring church--clock
died away, the melody of Siegfried's horn was whistled up from the
street, and looking over, Maurice saw his friend. He seized his music
and went hastily down the four flights of stairs.

They crossed the river and came to newer streets. It was delightful
out-of-doors. A light breeze met them as they turned, and a few ragged,
fleecy clouds that it was driving up, only made the sky seem bluer, The
two young men walked leisurely, laughing and talking rather loudly.
Maurice Guest had already, in dress and bearing, taken on a touch of
musicianly disorder, but Dove's lengthier residence had left no trace
upon him; he might have stepped that day from the streets of the
provincial English town to which he belonged. His well brushed clothes
sat with an easy inelegance, his tie was small, his linen clean, and
the only concession he made to his surroundings, the broad-brimmed,
soft felt hat, looked oddly out of p