u will soon see the beginning of the
romance that ended in tragedy. In a very inspired mood, you could
express it on your violin."

Nello nodded. His life had been so hard up to the present moment, that
he had enjoyed scant leisure to indulge in the softer emotions of
life. But, in a vague sort of way, he could appreciate something of
the tragedy of Papa Peron's past.

"Tell me something more, if you please. I am very interested."

Salmoros continued in his slow, deliberate tones. "The _femme
incomprise_, a more or less bovine husband, a man almost as old as her
husband, but ardent and impetuous, ten years younger in spirit than
his real age. What happens? The woman falls in love with him for his
genius. He bewitches her with his beautiful art. With his deft and
skilled fingers, and by Heaven he was almost the finest pianist I have
ever heard, he drew out from her her very soul."

"Ah! I can understand he must have been very wonderful," interjected
Nello. "Even at his age, there were times when he thrilled me."

Salmoros nodded. "You can understand the spell he would cast over a
comparatively young woman. Well, let us get to the end of this. My
poor old friend Jean sleeps in peace, why wake up those old faint
memories?"

"But they are very interesting, Baron," urged Corsini.

"I know, my young friend. Even I have a melancholy interest in them,
because they take me back to the days of comparative youth. Well, to
be brief--a romance in a nutshell. A violent altercation between
husband and lover, a duel, the husband is wounded, not mortally,
carried to his house. The charming young wife, innocent, or perhaps
guilty, cause of all this dire misfortune, commits suicide. Jean
Villefort, apprised of her tragic end, disappears. He might have
thrown himself into the Seine. For days his friends searched for him
in the _morgue_ to no purpose. And, through you, I have at last
unearthed the mystery. Jean Villefort did not avail himself of the
coward's resource."

"Ah, Baron, dear Monsieur Peron--I prefer to call him by that
name--was no coward," interjected Nello eagerly.

"I quite agree. He left a world which held no further joys or triumphs
for him. _Mon Dieu_, what a strange temperament! Why don't these
fellows make art and sentiment a part of their life only, and put in
some common sense on the other side?"

"You speak from the great financier's point of view, Baron?" suggested
Nello shrewdly.

Salmoros smiled his