ents to spare before the
call-boy would summon her back to the stage.

"There you mistake, my lady. When I was her age no one ever dreamed that
I would succeed as a singer; but you see what resolution and study can
do."

"But you _had_ study; your guardians gave plenty of time. Let her have
that time; let her friends have an opportunity to think what is best for
her."

"Her friends? I did not know that she had any in England."

"Oh, yes! I am one; Lady Hope is another. Then there is Mr. Closs."

"Oh!" said Olympia. "It is to that gentleman we owe the honor of this
visit?"

"Yes," answered Clara. "He escorted me here. Being Lady Hope's brother,
it was proper, you understand."

Olympia was looking in Clara's face. The girl pleased her. The bright
mobility of her features, the graceful gestures with which she
emphasized her expressions, charmed the experienced actress.

"Ah, if my daughter had your abandon!" she exclaimed, with enthusiasm.

"Or if I had her sweet dignity. But fortune is sometimes very perverse.
Now I should glory in the applause which makes her faint away."

"Ah! she is sensitive as a child, proud as a duchess; but, where we have
plenty of genius, these things only serve to brighten it. I shall take
Caroline into my own training. When you come to hear her sing again, it
will be a different affair."

"Oh, madam, do not ask it!" cried Caroline, in a panic. "I never, never
can go on to that stage again!"

"We shall see," answered Olympia, blandly. "Here comes the call-boy; I
must say adieu, with many thanks for this visit."

"But I have a request to make. You will give her time?"

"Oh! yes, my lady. She shall have sufficient time."

Olympia went out smiling; but Caroline understood the craft that lay
under her soft words.

"You see that I have accomplished something," said Clara, delighted with
her success; "we have gained time."

"No, no! She will have her way."

"What! that soft, handsome creature?"

"Has a will of iron!"

"And so have I!" exclaimed the young girl, "and my will is that she
shall not force you into a life you do not like; but I wonder at it.
Upon my word, if it were not for one thing, I should like to change
places with you."

Caroline shook her head.

"You have no idea what the life is!"

"Oh! yes, I have; and it must be charming. No dignity to keep up, no
retinue of servants to pass every time you come and go; but all sorts of
homage, plenty of work, while ev