o many
times as to become too confident.

About a year before this a man, who said he came from America, had
appeared at the Conservatory to see Massart in relation to some music
lessons he wished given to his sons. For convenience we will call this
man the American. He is now dead and as his share in this story is not
the most happy this title may take the place of his real name. His two
sons played the violin and the father wished them placed under Massart's
instruction. Camilla came in during the interview and quietly waited
till it was over. The two boys played for the master and Camilla sat
near by in silence. Then Massart asked her to play. She did so and the
American was so much pleased that he asked her name and residence. A day
or two after that he called upon Camilla's father and proposed to him
that Camilla should visit the United States as soon as her lessons were
finished at the Conservatory. He thought she would attract great
attention there and offered to take her to America on a concert tour.
This was all very fine but Camilla could not go now and so the matter
was dropped. When the term was over there would be time enough to talk
about it. So the American went away and the Ursos thought no more about
it.

Suddenly in the Summer of the last year and just before the term was
finished he reappeared and repeated his offer to take Camilla to
America. She was to go with him for three years and was to play at
concerts in all the principal cities of the country.

In consideration of which he would pay M. Urso the sum of thirty
thousand francs the first year, sixty thousand francs the second year
and one hundred thousand francs the third year. Traveling and hotel
expenses for three people were to be paid and altogether it was a
flattering offer.

Thirty thousand francs in one year! It was too wonderful! They had never
dreamed of so much money! Sixty thousand francs! A hundred thousand
francs! Such sums were too vast to be taken in at one sitting. They must
consider the matter. After much discussion it was at last arranged that
when her lessons at the Conservatory were finished Camilla and her
father should start for America.

During the last Spring in Paris they changed their residence and moved
into more cheerful and comfortable rooms on the Rue Montholon, a street
that makes a continuation of the Rue Lamartine. Here they had front
rooms in the attic and in the sixth story. There was a broad balcony at
t