I understand you perfectly--I have surprised you and you
have not yet found time to catch your breath. Iss dat not so?"

"Yes, but--"

"Oh, no 'buts.' I know vhat you vould say. But it is not necessary. I
have made up my mind, und once I do dat, I never change."

"I know, Herr, but--"

"Didn't I say no 'buts'? You shall show de people of Baltimore vhat a
really fine violinist dey have in their midst."

"Well, if you insist, of course I shall play. And are you to play my
accompaniments?"

"I, my dear young lady? No, no; I shall have my hands full vidout
attempting dat. But you shall have a full orchestra at your beck und
call to t'under at you vun minute und to help you lull de audience to
sleep de next."

"Herr, you overwhelm me!"

"Such vass not my intention. I am merely telling you vhat I know to
be de truth. You are a remarkable girl und nothing I can say vill
turn your head. I have tried it und I know. Dat iss vhy I do not
hesitate to say it."

When Dorothy Calvert left Herr Deichenberg's studio that morning she
was the happiest girl in Baltimore.

CHAPTER X

HERR DEICHENBERG'S CONCERT

Herr Deichenberg's concert was but a month away, and Dorothy, despite
the hotness of the weather, practiced as she never had before.

After her visit to the studio Herr Deichenberg resumed his comings to
Bellvieu. He seemed never to tire descanting on the beauties of the
old estate, and in this way won a warm place in the hearts of both
Dorothy and Aunt Betty--aside from his many other fine qualities.

Aunt Betty had been delighted at the thought of Dorothy's appearing
at the Herr's concert.

"His affairs are the finest of their kind given in the city," she
told the girl, "and it is an honor you must not fail to appreciate.
The Herr would not have invited you to appear had he not been sure of
your ability to uphold his standards."

The week before the concert Herr Deichenberg came out one morning in
a particularly good humor--though, to tell the truth, he seemed
always bubbling over with agreeable qualities.

"It iss all arranged," he told Dorothy--"for de concert, I mean. De
theater has been put in readiness, und you should see de decorations.
Ah! Vines trailing t'rough de boxes, und de stage just loaded down
with palms. Und yet I am not t'rough, I have been offered de loan of
some of de finest plants in de city. I tell you, Miss Dorothy, it iss
very nice to have friends."

"It is indeed," the girl r