ng
the violins and close beside her father's flute. He was a noted player
in those days and the little one shared his seat, with the music book
spread before her, and the stage in full view.

It was quite a fine theatre and many notable things took place there.
Operas, both new and old, were given, and often between the acts, a
piano was brought out and such famous players as traveled in that part
of France appeared and showed what they could do. Celebrated violinists
and great singers also appeared at times. So it happened that the little
Camilla almost lived in the midst of an orchestra and before she was
five years old had heard many of the best players and singers of the
times.

The orchestra became almost a second home to her. The lights, the crowds
of people, the music were every day matters and she grew up to be quite
indifferent to the public character of such a life. Most children would
have soon learned to go to sleep in the midst of it all. Camilla never
thought of such a thing. While the music went on she was content. If she
could only nestle down in a corner where she could hear those violins
and her father's flute she was perfectly happy in a demure and sober
fashion that was infinitely amusing in such a very small girl.

On Sundays and on fete days when the church was open she went with her
father to the church of the Holy Cross.

The church was an old one and to reach the organ loft high up over the
great portal they had to climb a steep and winding stair in the great
tower. The stairs were worn deep with footsteps so that it was hard
climbing for the little one. Still, she always went with her father and
mother. Did he not play the tall organ with its great white pipes, and
did her mother not sing? She had a good seat where she could look up at
the black arches springing so high overhead, or down on the people who
seemed so small in the church far below.

When there was no theatre or church she played about her mother's room
or under the trees in the public gardens, very much in the fashion of
other French girls.

Playing in an orchestra is not the road to wealth. The pay was very
small, and even with the organ salary and the music lessons things did
not prosper very happily and the little Camilla had to content herself
with such juvenile joys as could be procured without very much money.
This, happily, did not make much difference. There was enough to eat and
pretty good things to wear and no en