already retreated down the church to the main entrance in haste to see
the beginning of the witches' feast and the snail-shell illumination.

At every step the musician had to shake hands and receive civilly the
congratulations that were showered upon him; and suddenly Don Alberto
was beside him, and was drawing him away.

'The Queen insists on thanking you herself, dear Maestro,' said the
courtier, smiling. 'I see that you are in a hurry, but royalty is
royalty, and you must sacrifice yourself on the altar of your own fame
with a good grace!'

Unsuspecting of harm as he was, Stradella yielded, and tried not to look
displeased. While speaking Altieri had dragged him through the crowd
towards Christina, who was standing up, evidently waiting for them, and
looking particularly mannish in her three-cornered hat and short skirt.
The only ornament she had put on was the magnificent cross of diamonds
which she wore on her bosom at all times.

'One has to come to church to see you, Maestro,' she cried in a heavily
playful manner. 'Do you know that you have not darkened my doors for a
fortnight, sir? What is the meaning of this? But I forgive you, for your
music has ravished my soul, falling like a refreshing shower on my
burning anger!'

The metaphors were badly mixed, but Stradella bent one knee and made a
pretence of kissing the unshapely hand she held out to him, and he
muttered a formula expressive of gratitude.

'I am overcome by your Majesty's kindness,' he said, or something to
that effect.

'To-morrow,' said the ex-Queen, 'I shall send you the medal and diploma
of my Academy as a slight acknowledgment of the pleasure I have had this
afternoon. At present Don Alberto is going to introduce me to the quaint
Roman custom of eating snails in the open air. Will you join us,
Maestro? But I see that you are still in your robes, and I have no doubt
you look forward to a more substantial supper than a dish of molluscs
fried in oil! Good-night, my dear Maestro. _Vale_, as those delightful
ancients used to say!'

She waved her hand affectedly as she turned to go. It seemed an age to
Stradella before he reached the sacristy, and when he got there he was
surprised to find Trombin waiting by the door of the choristers'
robing-room. The Bravo went in with him, and began to help him out of
his cotta and cassock.

'I came to tell you that your lady is already gone home,' Trombin said
in a low voice. 'She felt a sudden dizzi