"Well done! That is, true art--art and intelligence allied to the
voice of gold which the good God has given you."
Absorbed in the music, neither master nor pupil had observed that
during the course of the song the door had been softly unlatched from
outside and held ajar, and now, just as Diana was somewhat blushingly
extricating herself from Baroni's fervent clasp, it was thrown open and
the unseen listener came into the room.
Baroni whirled round and advanced with outstretched hands, his face
wreathed in smiles.
"_A la bonne heure_! You haf come just at a good moment, Mees de
Gervais, to hear this pupil of mine who will some day be one of the
world's great singers."
Adrienne de Gervais shook hands.
"I've been listening, Baroni. She has a marvellous voice.
But"--looking at Diana pleasantly--"we are neighbours, surely? I have
seen you in Crailing--where we have just taken a house called Red
Gables."
"Yes, I live at Crailing," replied Diana, a little shyly.
"And I saw you, there one day--you were sitting in a pony-trap, waiting
outside a cottage, and singing to yourself. I noticed the quality of
her voice then," added Miss de Gervais, turning to the _maestro_.
"Yes," said Baroni, with placid content. "It is superb."
Adrienne turned back to Diana with a delightful smile.
"Since we are neighbours in the country, Miss Quentin, we ought to be
friends in town.
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