Campanella — Anne Mercier

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 edition. Excerpt: ...you like to learn music very well, Nella?" "Oh yes," she eagerly replied. "Monsieur Mallet, who sang for us so beautifully, came to me the day after our concert, and spoke to me about you. He was much surprised at your music. He says you already play well; and with good teaching will some day play very nicely indeed. He is so good as to offer to have you taught by a good master, and to find you a home meanwhile in London, with himself and his wife, who, he says, will be very kind to you. It will be a great change, my dear child, in every way. I almost fear this new life for you; yet it seems as though God himself were calling you to it; and if so, we must trust in His wisdom." Here the rector turned to the schoolmistress, and went on in a lower tone:--" Mrs. Murray assures me that Madame Mallet is a good-natured person, and quite respectable; else I should not think of letting the child go out of our sight. But we can still exercise a sort of supervision, by means of letters and Mrs. Murray; and it does seem a pity that such talent should be wasted. Now, my little Nella, have you thought over the matter? Did you understand me?" It seemed that Nella had understood; for she said, "Should I ever come back here, sir?" "Certainly. Often, I hope." "Are there many persons in London?" "Very many; more than you can count." "Shall I see Miss Charteris there some day V This was asked with very eager eyes. "Most likely you will." "Therefore I should like it much, please," she concluded, using a wrong word, as she often did still; though it was wonderful how quickly and how well she had learned to speak English. It was now settled that Nella should go...