ive dish, and I have no
reason to believe that you are in a condition to pay for it. I said this
to your brother, and I might with truth have told him that I regretted
to see him in my hotel--not that you are in yourselves objectionable,
on the contrary, you appear to me to be harmless and amiable men, but
because of your purses. I fear that you do not know the charges of
first-class hotels, and will be amazed at your bill. Your brother,
however, assures me that you can afford to pay for all you order; that
you make a great deal of money; that you are a virtuoso, give concerts,
and sell tickets at the highest price. Now, I will convince myself if
you are a great musician and can support yourself. Whistle me something,
and I will decide as to the pie."

The king listened to all this with suppressed merriment, and gave Balby
a significant look.

"Bring my flute, brother; I will convince madame that I am indeed a
virtuoso."

"Let us hear," said Madame Blaken, seating herself upon the sofa from
which the king had just arisen.

Frederick made, with indescribable solemnity, a profound bow to the
hostess. He placed the flute to his lips and began to play, but not in
his accustomed masterly style--not in those mild, floating melodies,
those solemn sacred, and exalted strains which it was his custom to
draw from his beloved flute. He played a gay and brilliant solo, full of
double trills and rhapsodies; it was an astounding medley, which
seemed to make a triumphal march over the instrument, overcoming all
difficulties. But those soft tones which touched the soul and roused to
noble thoughts were wanting; in truth, the melody failed, the music was
wanting.

Madame Blaken listened with ever-increasing rapture to this wondrous
exercise; these trills, springing from octave to octave, drew forth her
loudest applause; she trembled with ecstasy, and as the king closed with
a brilliant cadence, she clapped her hands and shouted enthusiastically.
She stood up respectfully before the artiste in the simple brown coat,
and bowing low, said earnestly:

"Your brother was right, you can surely earn much money by your whistle.
You whistle as clearly as my mocking-bird. You shall have the pie--I go
to order it at once," and she hastened from the room.

"Well," said the king, laughing, "this was a charming scene, and I thank
you for it, brother Henry. It is a proud and happy feeling to know that
you can stand upon your feet, or walk alon