"Only for a little bit, but it didn't matter; for the Chevalier took me away in his carriage, and said to master, 'I'll send you a rainbow when the storm is over.' And oh! Charles, I practise four hours at a time now, and it never tires me in the least. I shall never play like _him_, but I mean to be his shadow." I loved my little friend for this. "Oh, Charles! I am so glad you are coming to his birthday. Oh, Charles! I wish I could tell you everything all in a minute, but I can't." "Never mind about that, for if you are happy, it is all clear to me. Only one thing, Star. Tell me what I have got to do on this birthday." "Charles, it's the silver wedding, don't you know?" "What, is he going to be married?" "Who, Carlomein? Starwood won't tell!" said the Chevalier, turning sharply upon me and bending his eyes till he seemed to peep through the lashes. "He knows all about it, but he won't tell. Wilt thou, my shadow? By the by, there is a better word in English,--'chum;' but we must not talk slang, at least not till we grow up. As for thee, Carlomein, Anastase will enlighten thee, and thou shalt not be blinded in that operation, I promise thee. 'Tis nothing very tremendous." "Charles, I think we detain the Chevalier," observed Davy, ever anxious; and this time I thought so too. "That would be impossible, after my detaining _you_; but I think I must find my mother,--she will certainly think I have taken a walk to the moon. Come, Stern! Or wilt thou leave me in the lurch for that Carl of thine?" "Oh! I beg pardon, sir; please let me come too." And I dearly longed to "come too," when I saw them leave the hall hand in hand. "Now, Charles, we will carry you off and give you some dinner." "I don't want any dinner, Mr. Davy; I must go to Anastase." "I knew he was going to say so!" said Millicent. "But, Charles, duty calls first; and if you don't dine we shall have you ill." "I don't know whether I may go to the inn." "Oh, yes! Lenhart obtained leave of absence at meals for you as long as we are here." "Oh! by the by, Millicent, you said you had only come for one week." "But, Charles, we may never have such another opportunity." "Yes," added Davy, "I would willingly _starve_ a month or two for the sake of this feast." "Bravo, Mr. Davy. But then, Millicent?" "Oh, Millicent! she shall starve along with me." We all laughed, and as we walked out of the courtyard into the bright country, he continued,-- "You know, Charles, I suppose, what is to be done, musically, at this birthday?" "No, Mr. Davy, not in the least; and it is because I did not that I refused my dinner. After dinner, though, I shall go and call on Maria Cerinthia, and make her tell me." "A beautiful name, Charles,--is she a favorite of yours?" "She is the most wonderful person I ever saw or dreamt of, Millicent; she does treat me very kindly, but she is above all of us except the Chevalier." "Is she such a celebrated singer, then?"