ta and Romola as wood nymphs, detached his mind with
difficulty from Greek draperies and focused it upon his eldest daughter.

"I did not know Claudia could sing!" he remarked with surprise.

"Why, my dear, she's always singing about the house, and has a very good
voice too. It would be splendid if she could make something of it," put
in his wife, who in this case proved her step-daughter's firm ally. "Be
generous now, and let the girl run up to town with Miss Forrester. Who
knows what may come of it?"

Mr. Castleton was mixing a subtle shade of grey for the folds beneath
Romola's girdle. At the moment he would have consented to anything to
get rid of visitors and go on with his painting.

"Let her go if she likes," he agreed.

So the appointment was accepted; and one day in the next week an
anxious little Rosemary, living in a whirl of hopes, piloted a nervous,
blushing, but quite too lovely Claudia into the solemn precincts of the
College of Music. Signor Arezzo had in his time trained hundreds of
musical students. Most of them possessed moderate talents, some were
clever, and an elect few passed on to the concert platform. It was only
once or twice in his teaching career that he had discovered a voice
worthy of grand opera. His experienced eye measured Claudia with
satisfaction. Her beautiful throat was certainly that of a singer. On
the operatic stage that face and figure would be worth a fortune. He did
not commit himself, however, but, asking her to come nearer to the
piano, played a few chords and began to test her voice. At first Claudia
was nervous, but after she had sung some exercises the feeling passed,
and she poured out her notes as naturally as she had done in the orchard
at home. The professor made her try various scales, arpeggios, studies,
and a song.

"Thank you," he said at last. "That will do. I can safely promise you a
scholarship at the College next September. If you're ready to work I
think we may make something of you. Now, will you go into the ante-room
and wait while I speak to Miss Forrester? I want to have a word with
her."

When Claudia, with shining eyes, had gone out of the room, Signor Arezzo
turned to Rosemary and shook her warmly by the hand.

"I congratulate you!" he said. "Unless I'm much mistaken you've
discovered an operatic star. The girl has a most marvellous voice.
She'll be a credit to the College some day! And she has every element
for a successful _prima donna_--grac