y-haired waiter brought things to eat, and we made brave
efforts to appear hungry and hearty, but my high spirits were ebbing
fast, and Von Gerhard was frankly distraught. One of the women singers
appeared suddenly in the doorway of the pavilion, then stole down the
steps, and disappeared in the shadow of the trees beyond our table.
The voices of the singers ceased abruptly. There was a moment's hushed
silence. Then, from the shadow of the trees came a woman's voice, clear,
strong, flexible, flooding the night with the bird-like trill of the
mountain yodel. The sound rose and fell, and swelled and soared. A
silence. Then, in a great burst of melody the chorus of voices within
the pavilion answered the call. Again a silence. Again the wonder of the
woman's voice flooded the stillness, ending in a note higher, clearer,
sweeter than any that had gone before. Then the little Tyrolese, her
moment of glory ended, sped into the light of the noisy pavilion again.

When I turned to Von Gerhard my eyes were wet. "I shall have that to
remember, when you are gone."

Von Gerhard beckoned the hovering waiter. "Take these things away. And
you need not return." He placed something in the man's palm--something
that caused a sudden whisking away of empty dishes, and many obsequious
bows.

Von Gerhard's face was turned away from me, toward the beauty of the
lake and sky. Now, as the last flirt of the waiter's apron vanished
around the corner he turned his head slowly, and I saw that in his eyes
which made me catch my breath with apprehension.

"What is it?" I cried. "Norah? Max? The children?"

He shook his head. "They are well, so far, as I know. I--perhaps first
I should tell you--although this is not the thing which I have to say to
you--"

"Yes?" I urged him on, impatiently. I had never seen him like this.

"I do not sail this week. I shall not be with Gluck in Vienna this year.
I shall stay here."

"Here! Why? Surely--"

"Because I shall be needed here, Dawn. Because I cannot leave you now.
You will need--some one--a friend--"

I stared at him with eyes that were wide with terror, waiting for I knew
not what.

"Need--some one--for--what?" I stammered. "Why should you--"

In the kindly shadow of the trees Von Gerhard's hands took my icy ones,
and held them in a close clasp of encouragement.

"Norah is coming to be with you--"

"Norah! Why? Tell me at once! At once!"

"Because Peter Orme has been sent home--cured," s