andiani had nothing to tell him. The Signorina Antonia
Rossi had not written to any of her Neapolitan friends, so far as could
be ascertained, since the previous December; certainly she had not
presented herself here in Naples to seek any engagement. The old
_maestro_, in praying his illustrious and celebrated correspondent to
accept his respectful submissions, likewise begged of him, should
anything be learned with regard to the Signorina Rossi, to communicate
farther. There was no hope in that quarter.

But one morning Estelle made a new suggestion.

"There is something I have recalled; yes, it is perhaps of not great
importance; yet perhaps again," she said. "One day Nina and I, we were
speaking of this thing and the other, and she said it was right and
proper that a young lady should have a _dot_--what is the English?--no
matter. She said the young lady should bring something towards the--the
management; and she asked how she or I could do that. Then comes her
plan. She was thinking of it before she arrives in England. It was to go
to America--to be engaged for concerts--oh, they pay large, large
salaries, if you have a good voice--and Nina would take engagements for
all the big cities, until she got over to San Francisco, and from there
to Australia--a great tour--a long time--but at the end, then she has
the little fortune, and she is independent, whatever happens.
Marriage?--well, perhaps not, but she is independent. Yes, it was Nina's
plan to go away on that long tour; but she comes to England--she is
engaged at the New Theatre--she practises her little economies--but not
so as it would be in America, and now, now if she wishes to go away for
a long, long time, is it not America? She goes on the long voyage; she
forgets--what she wishes to forget. Her singing, it is constant
occupation; she must work; and they welcome a good voice there--she will
have friends. Do you consider it not possible? Yes, it is possible--for
that is to go entirely away, and there is no danger of any one
interfering."

"It's just frightful to think of," he said, "if what you imagine is
correct. Fancy her crossing the Atlantic all by herself--landing in New
York unknown to any human being there--"

"Ah, but do you fear for Nina?" Estelle cried. "No, no--she has
courage--she has self-reliance, even in despair--she will have made
preparations for all. Everywhere she has her passport--in her voice. 'I
am Miss Ross, from the New Theatre,