Katherine was listening to the chords of the organ, and she bent forward eagerly.  Her thoughts flew back to the convent where she had enjoyed a pure religious life undisturbed by the trammels of the great outer world.

“Let us go,” said she, “I would see who ’tis that plays!”

She led the way up the broad stairs and through the passage into the organ loft, and at first sight of her Cedric was well-nigh beside himself with delight; for he took it, she had come to be with him.  There was a young fop at the organ in rich and modish attire, but otherwise of unattractive and common appearance.

Katherine cast upon him her entire attention, and there came that in her face that drew the glance of every eye.  ’Twas as if she was entranced with the player, as well as the sounds he brought forth from the organ.  Cedric be-thought him ’twas an unfortunate oversight to have learnt not to thrum upon some sort of thing wherewith to draw the attention if not admiration of such a maid as this.  And he straightway made avowal to send at once for tutor and instrument; a violin, when played as he might learn to, would perhaps be as successful in its lodestone requirements as any other thrumming machine. “’Twas an instrument could be handled to such an effect.  A man could so well show white, jewelled fingers; display a rare steenkirk to pillow it upon; and withal, a man could stand free and sway his body gracefully this way and that; yes, ’tis the thing to do; she may yet look at me as she now looks at St. Mar!” so thought Cedric.  The piece was soft and gentle, with a pathetic motif running through it.  Katherine became so rapt she drew closer and closer, until at last she stood beside St. Mar.  He became confused and halted, and finally left off altogether and turned to read the admiration in the azure blue of her eyes.

“Thou art from France, and dost thou know many of the great musicians?”

“Aye, a great many—­”

“Hast thou met the great Alessandro Scarlatti?  I understand he created a furore as he passed through Paris from London.”

“’Tis true, and I was most fortunate to hear him play portions of ‘L’Onesta nell Amore.’ Queen Christina herself accompanied him to Paris, and wherever he played she was not far away.”

“We used much of his sacred music at the convent; ’tis such warm, tender and sympathetic harmony.  He must be a very great man!”

“He hath a son, Domenico, not two years old, who already shows a great ear for his father’s music; and they say he will even be a greater musician than his father.  It is possible Alessandro will visit London.”

“’Twould be wondrous fine!  I will go and hear him play, surely “—­Cedric interrupted their musical converse,—­

“’Tis cold for thee, I fear, in this damp place; I beg thee to allow me to lead thee to the library.”  And without further words he led her away, through the library and on beyond to the saloon, where he begged her to favour him with songs he was quite sure she could sing, naming those he most wished to hear.