‘My health,’ she added, ’is far from re-established, and I am unable either to go to town or to ask you to come and see me.  It is rather doubtful whether I shall ever again play in public.’

In her own mind there lingered no doubt at all, but she thought it better not to be too abrupt with Dymes.

After burning all the letters, she read once more through the press notices of her performance.  It was significant that the musical critics whose opinion had any weight gave her only a word or two of cautious commendation; her eulogists were writers who probably knew much less about music than she, and who reported concerts from the social point of view.  Popular journalism represented her debut as a striking success.  Had she been able to use her opportunity to the utmost, doubtless something of a ‘boom’ —­ the word then coming into fashion —­ might have resulted for her; she could have given two or three more recitals before the end of the season, have been much photographed and paragraphed, and then have gone into the country ‘to spread her conquests farther’.  This was Felix Dymes’s hope.  Writing with all propriety, he had yet allowed it to be seen how greatly he was vexed and disappointed at her failure to take the flood.  Alma, too, had regretful moments; but she fought against the feeling with all her strength.  Today she all but found courage to throw these newspapers into the fire; it would be a final sacrifice, a grave symbolic act, and might bring her peace.  Yet she could not.  Long years hence, would it not be a legitimate pride to show these things to her children?  A misgiving mingled with the thought, but her reluctance prevailed.  She made up a parcel, wrote upon it, ’My Recital, May 1891’, and locked it up with other most private memorials.

She had not long to wait for her answer from Dymes.  He apologised for his delay in the matter of business, and promised that a detailed statement should be sent to her in a very few days.  The unfortunate state of her health —­ there Alma smiled —­ moved him to sympathy and profound regret; her abandonment of a professional career could not, must not, be a final decision!

Something prompted her to hand this letter to Harvey.

‘I took it for granted,’ he said humorously, ’that the man had sent you a substantial cheque long ago.’

‘I believe the balance will be on my side.’

‘Would you like me to see to the rest of the business for you?’

‘I don’t think that’s necessary, is it?’

To her relief, Harvey said no more.  She waited for the promised balance-sheet, but weeks passed by and it did not arrive.  An explanation of this readily occurred to her:  Dymes calculated upon bringing her to an interview.  She thought of Harvey’s proposal, and wished she could dare to accept it; but the obscure risks were too great.  So, months elapsed, till the affair seemed forgotten.

They never spoke to each other of Hugh Carnaby or of Sibyl.