Oh, not at all, not in the least. It was like this. When I was in Berlin for the State Examinations, I saw one day on Leipsic Street a familiar face,--a home face, if I may say so. You know what that is when one is far away. Well, we spoke to each other. I learned that she was studying to sing in opera, and that for this purpose she had left her home. MAX. Not exactly. She left home to be companion to an old lady. [_Hesitates_.] There was a difference with her father. VON KELLER. A love affair? MAX. In a way. Her father supported the suitor and told her to obey or leave his house. VON KELLER. And she went away? MAX. Yes. Then, a year later, when she wrote that she was going on the stage, it made the breach complete. But what else did you hear? VON KELLER. That's all. MAX. Nothing else? VON KELLER. Well, well,--I met her once or twice at the opera-house where she had a pass. MAX. And you know absolutely nothing of her life? VON KELLER. [_With a shrug_.] Have you heard nothing from her? MAX. Nothing at all. Well, at any rate, I am grateful to you. I beg you, however, not to mention the meeting to my uncle, unless he asks you about it directly. He knows of it, of course, but the name of the lost daughter is never mentioned in this house. VON KELLER. Oh, I have tact enough not to do that. MAX. And what do you think has become of her? VON KELLER. Oh, music is a lottery. Ten thousand blanks and one prize. A host of beginners and but one who makes a career. If one becomes a Patti or a Sembrich, or, to come down to our own Festival-- _Enter_ Schwartze _and_ Mrs. Schwartze. SCHWARTZE. [_Shaking hands_.] Welcome to my house! Councillor von Keller, my wife. MRS. SCHWARTZE. Pray sit down. VON KELLER. I should not have dared, madam, to ask the honor of this introduction had I not wished so strongly to share in the good and useful work which centres here. My purpose may excuse my temerity. SCHWARTZE. You're very kind; but you do us too much honor. If you seek the centre of the whole movement, Pastor Heffterdingt is the man. He inspires all; he controls all; he-- MRS. SCHWARTZE. Do you know our pastor, sir? VON KELLER.