w how serious the case had
become. Many a time she came home from her lessons to find that the
family had been to dinner, and that something nice and warm had been
saved for her. They said they had dined, but in truth they had only
eaten a cheap lunch of fried potatoes or something a few sous would buy
that Camilla might have a better dinner. She must be maintained in good
health, and no sacrifice on their part was too great. When they had but
little they took the best for her and concealed from her their own
scanty meals. She was an exceedingly affectionate child and would have
shared her best with her mother had she known what they silently
suffered for her sake.

Her father was constantly with her when she practiced. Many an hour he
stood by her side and held her left arm to help sustain the weight of
her weary violin. At times he let her sit on a stool though the good
student always stands with the violin. She was a growing girl and
something of the rules must be relaxed. At the same time her father was
a strict master and never suffered her to slight or neglect her
practice. During the three years at the Conservatory he never was absent
while she practiced though it averaged ten hours a day during the last
year. During it all Camilla never once refused to go to her lessons and
in company with her aunt or father daily walked to the Conservatory and
to Massart's house.

Could they go on much longer? Their case was getting positively
desperate. They had nearly struggled through the three years. It was
almost over and Camilla was well nigh ready to try her fortune in the
world. She must play before some of the wealthy amateur musicians and
show her talents. No money would come of it but it might serve as an
introduction to public life and bring her into notice so that when she
did leave the Conservatory she would not be wholly unknown.

One day there came an invitation to spend the evening at some private
house and she prepared to go. She had passably good clothing and was, as
far as appearance was concerned, ready to go. Then came a dreadful
discovery. The wolf was at the door. He had come up the stairs and was
scratching and snarling at the threshold. What were they to do? There
was not a thing to eat in the house. The very last franc had been spent.
There was nothing left but that pearl cross the Countess had given her
at Manheim. They might sell it. No they could not and would not. They
would go supperless to be