rvatory and compelled them to
take her in by the simple strength of her genius. Soon after her mother
joined them from Nantes and the reunited family was indeed a happy one.

Since that time several girls have been admitted to the Paris
Conservatory, but they have to thank Camilla, the youngest of them all,
for clearing the way.

Now she began to think that all the weary months with the dumb violin,
the long hours of practice, the days and nights spent with dear, cross,
old Felix Simon were happily rewarded. With all the elation and pride of
her parents she seemed only to be glad, in a quiet way, that she could
now go on and learn more and more.

Many weeks must pass before the long summer vacation would be over and
the Fall term of the school begin. In the meantime not a day was lost.
Three or four hours practice every morning with her father, a walk after
dinner, and then two hours more practice. No pieces. Nothing but
exercises in long, slow notes to keep up the strong, pure tone, and
scales in every key.

There is nothing so successful as success. Just as the vacation was
nearly over the little Camilla had another most flattering offer of
instruction. De Beriot, whose music she had played at the concert at
Nantes, visited Paris and gave several concerts. While he was in the
city M. Urso called upon him and asked permission to bring Camilla to
his room. Yes. He would gladly hear her play. This was certainly a great
favor and soon after she went to his hotel and played some of his music
to him. He was greatly pleased with the child and at once offered to
take her to Brussels where he lived, and give her a complete musical
education at his own expense. He was at that time the first teacher of
the violin at the Conservatory of music at Brussels, a place that is now
filled by Vieuxtemps, and he was certainly a master of the violin. He
would do this freely if he might have entire control of her education.
She was not to appear in public till he was quite ready. It might not be
for many years. To be sure, in three years, by the time she was ten, she
would be a wonderful player, but by waiting longer she would become one
of the few great violinists of the world.

This was indeed generous. They were thankful and would be delighted to
place her under his instruction if they could go too, and be near her
all the time. They had no means of supporting her in another city. She
could not leave father and mother. They already