resounding through the
echoing rooms stopped the talk.

It was the piano across the hall that had been briskly and powerfully
attacked. The "Royal March" of Italy was played, first baldly, then with
manifold clinging and wreathing variations.

Aurora signed to the servant to open the dining-room door. All three at
the table sat in silence till the end of the piece.

Gerald wondered what the evening caller could be who made the moments of
waiting light to himself in this fanciful manner.

"It's Italo," said Mrs. Hawthorne, rising. "I call him Italo because I
never can remember his other name. Come, let's go into the parlor."

It was all rosily lighted. Candles set on the piano at each side of the
music-rest enkindled glossy high lights on the nose-bump and forehead
bosses of Signor Ceccherelli, who at Mrs. Hawthorne's appearance sprang
up to salute. She reached him her hand, over which he deeply bowed.

"You're to play all those lovely things I'm so fond of," she directed
him. "'The Swallow and the Prisoner,' 'The Butterflies,' 'The Cascade of
Pearls.' And don't forget the 'Souvenir of Saint Helena.' Then the one
of the soldiers marching off and the soldiers coming home again. All our
favorites. Mr. Fane-- Are you acquainted with each other? Italo--you'll
have to tell him your name yourself. All I can think of is
Checkerberry."

"Yes, yes, we are acquainted," said Gerald, hurriedly. "We have seen
each other many times. _Come sta?_"

"Oh, he can speak English."

"A leetle," Ceccherelli modestly admitted.

"He understands everything I say. We have great conversations. He comes
every evening when he isn't engaged to play somewhere else."

She went to sit on the gorgeous brocade sofa, arranging herself amid the
multitude of cushions so as to listen long and happily. Estelle
preferring a straight-backed chair, Gerald took the other corner of
Aurora's sofa. Immediately Ceccherelli opened with "Souvenir de
Sainte-Helene." Aurora, respectful to the artist, talked in a whisper.

"He's so talented! You simply couldn't count the pieces he can play. We
do enjoy it so! We haven't anything in particular to do evenings if no
one calls. We don't often go out. We haven't been here long enough to
know many people. And aside from his magnificent playing, the little man
is such good company! We do have fun! There, I mustn't talk, I'm keeping
you from listening."

Gerald settled back, too, as if to listen, but to do the contr