e.
Another sleepless night and I was determined to see her. She received
me most graciously, although I fear she thought my visit one of
vanity--wounded vanity--and me petulant because of her lack of
appreciation.

Oh, sister mine, I knew better. I knew my heart craved one word,
however matter-of-fact, that would rekindle the hope that was dying
within me.

Hesitatingly, and like a clumsy yokel, I blurted: "I have been
wondering whether you cared for the performance I gave?"

"It certainly ought to make little difference to you," she replied;
"the public was enthusiastic enough in its endorsement."

"But I want your opinion," I pleaded.

"My opinion would not at all affect the almost unanimous verdict," she
replied calmly.

"And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly,
like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can
awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

"Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height
to win you--your--"

"Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

"Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love." Hope
slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and
wooingly, she said:

"No drooping Clytie could be more constant than I to him who strikes
the chord that is responsive in my soul."

Her emotion must have surprised her, but immediately she regained her
placidity and reverted no more to the subject.

I went out into the gathering gloom. Her words haunted me. A strange
feeling came over me. A voice within me cried: "Do not play to-night.
Study! study! Perhaps in the full fruition of your genius your music,
like the warm western wind to the harp, may bring life to her soul."

I fled, and I am here. I am delving deeper and deeper into the
mysteries of my art, and I pray God each hour that He may place within
my grasp the wondrous music His blessed angels sing, for the soul of
her I love is attuned to the harmonies of heaven.

Your affectionate brother,
ANGELO.
ISLAND OF BAHAMA, January 2.

VI

When Diotti left New York so precipitately he took passage on a coast
line steamer sailing for the Bahama Islands. Once there, he leased a
small _cay_, one of a group off the main land, and lived alone and
unattended, save for the w