e you!" said the Kapellmeister roughly, "There is work for
you to do! Rouse yourself, Kaya! Drive away the doves now or I will
do it myself. If you brood, you will ruin your voice--do you hear me?"

"Pischt!" said Kaya, "Now they are gone--! I will not think any more
of Russia to-day."

The Kapellmeister went to the window and laid his hand where the dove
had been, pressing the slender shoulder and forcing her to turn.

"I want you," he said, "Now--this morning! I have come for you!"

Kaya rose to her feet slowly: "To sit aloft in the flies and sing while
Siegfried seeks me?" She smiled up at him; "You have come for your
bird?"

"No."

Her eyes searched his. "No," she faltered, "did I sing badly? I--I
thought--"

"Kaya, the Schultz is ill."

The colour rushed to the girl's face and then fled away again, leaving
her pale. "Ill!" she stammered, "You look at me so strangely, dear
Master!"

"The Directors have authorized me to wire to Dresden for another
soprano."

"Yes--?"

"I refused."

Kaya raised her blue eyes.

"I told them I had a Bruennhilde here on the spot. Can you do it? I
have taken the risk. Can you do it? If you sing as you did that
night--!"

"I will," cried Kaya, "I will!" She pressed against him like the
doves, clasping her hands together. "It is only the one scene, Master;
I know it so well, every note! Many times I rehearsed it with
Helmanoff, many times. Bring me the helmet and the spear--bring me
Siegfried!" Her eyes were shining.

"Then come with me now," cried the Kapellmeister, "As you are! Is that
your hat on the nail? Put it on. The placards are out--and the
orchestra sits in the pit, waiting. I have promised them a Walkuere
with a voice like a bell! Come, Kaya--come! You are not nervous,
little one, or afraid?"

Kaya ran lightly to the peg and took down her hat. She was laughing,
and her face was alight as if the sun-beams had touched it; her lips
were parted and the dimples came and went in her cheeks:

"Now--my cloak!" she cried, "Quick! Help me--the right sleeve, dear
master, can you find it? Yes--yes! And my gloves--here they are!"

"Kaya, your face is like a rose and your feet are dancing."

She blushed. "You don't know," she said, "I have dreamed all my life
of being Bruennhilde. When I feel the helmet and the shield on my
breast, and the touch of the spear--it is like wine!" She stopped
suddenly and passed her hand over her face.

"