The San Francisco call., 1904-08-07
CHAPTER "

noon' and she would not hear Of any
one but herself arranging with ths
landlady From the first she played
the part of an elder sister, who wished
to put her guest entirely at ease. in.
deed, she lent Esther a pretty gown
for dinner and laughingly declared
that at last it had found a worthy
owner
do not thank me-" she said: you
look so pretty in 1t. All. my dear. what
a thing it is not to be anxious about
your figurel Mine quarrels with nv
dressmaker every time we meet;
haven't, positively. the energy to scold
it! 1 am just born for an armchair
and Mudie's!"
She went on to say that a maid
should be engaged especially for Es-
ther; but, meanwhile, Georgine. her
own girl. would do what she could In
the bedroom. everything that a woman
Of fashion might desire was laid. out
Mirrors paneled the doors OF an old
French wardrobe; little lamps, cum
ningly shaded, flattered the plain and
enhanced the prettiness Of the more
fortunate tenants. The brushes were
heavily wrought in silver; bottles OF
essence. pots OF cream, unknown prepa-
rations, of which Esther had not the
smallest need, Uttered the table before
her glass. She dressed herself with
such simplicity as she could, combing
out that soft brown hair which was
the best Of her beauty. and confessing
to herself, perhaps. that her eyes had
already regained something OF their
brightness, her cheeks Of their color.
In the drawing room she found Doctor
Xavier, dressed as any civilized Eng
|lishman at such an hour; and. there
being no other guests. they went in TO
dinner without delay
The meal was simple, but served
with necessary elegance. Two Of the
dishes, at least, Esther had never
tasted before; she drank but little wine;
nevertheless. she was astOnished TO
find that the food had stimulated her
in a way quite beyond her experience.
From a sense of doubt and mistrust
she passed gradually to one of conf
dence and quiet mental exhilaratiOn
Tha desire to talk came naturally; and
shR found herself; much to her own
astonishnent, possessed of an eIo-
quence OF which she had never
seemed not a little surprised both at
her learning and her knowledge. and.
turning the subjects skillfully, he led
her from book to book with the skill
of an old diplOmatist. who has pur-
pose to serve In the drawing room
afterward Julia sang 10 them, in low
full contralto voice which the -onser-
vator.es both of Leipsic and Paris had
had
one sing with such delicate phrasing
or such depth OF expression; and when
Doctor Xavier himself took a violin
in his hand and began to play one os
Chopins nOcturnes, even her unframed
ear could recognize the master BY
and by. the Doctor put the instrument
down for a little while that he might
talk to her Of the music Of southern
countries. but chiefly of Spain.
That which we call the finest music
he said, lis a matter OF temperament.
I hear the Swan Song. but it does not
move me, because am not a Saxon;
but would not belittle it. The man
who belittles great things has no in
stinct of greatness. / admit that the
German music is great, but 1 would
give it all for one bolero from my own
always be the same. Put an English
man in the wilds of America and ask
him what the wandering minstrel is TO
play-shall it be the Song of the Even
ing Star or just your Aud Lang
Syne.' All. seem to know what he
would say."
He took up the violin again and be-
gan to play an old-time Spanish dance.
The music held him as by some magic
spell he could not resist. His emotions
were transparent and easily to be read
love of country, the patnos of exile,
the futility of regret. In the end, an
ger appeared suddenly to master him,
and he ceased abruptly and threw the
fiddle from him.
"Ah. my poor Spainl" he cried If
you viii not have me living, you shall
have me dead"
Julia viewed this distress with some
alarm: but she did not try TO explain
it to Esther. Seating herself at her
brothers side. she took his hand in
both of hers and conversed with him
very rapidly in the Spanish tongue.
He heard her at first reluctantly. then
with some interest; until. at last, he
took her suddenly in mis- arms and
kissed her.
Yes. yes" he said in English. "the
day will cOme-I am Fastening it, We
will go together"
Esther viewed this little scene with
trepidation. for it suggested some new
mystery Of house which already had
been fruitful in mysteries. She was
quite wise enough, however. TO feign
indifference, and. going to the piano.
she pl; yed a noctUrne pianIssimO that
the others might not be embarrassed
by her presence. When she looked up
again. Doctor Xavier had left the room
and she was alone with MS sister, who
appeared anxious to apologize for him.
My brother is very brave" she said;
but these years of exile cost him
much. He was Gnce a great man in
Spain, my dear-not in Spain exactly.
that is. but in his own kingdom OF