"How many of these," she thought, "would give their eyes to spend a morning like mine,--and with a friend like mine!" She even pitied Astrid,--poor Astrid, who had never known a Prince! Estelle Hagerup announced a discovery--she had a voice. "My dears," she said with pride, "what a voice! Just as clear as crystal, and very powerful--and to think I never knew of it before!" "How did you find it out, Estelle?" asked Ragna and Astrid together. "I was standing on the top tier of the Colosseum, and the impulse came over me to sing--so I lifted up my voice and sang. I wish you could have been there to hear! A _custode_ came running at once and was much impressed. He said he had never heard anything like it in his life. I gave him a lira, and he said '_grazie Contessa_.' He refused to leave me after that, and waited till I was ready to go with the greatest deference." "Are you thinking of the operatic stage?" asked Astrid wickedly. "Perhaps that may come later, when I shall have acquired a repertory." "You will have to study," said the old Swedish lady. "There was a young woman here last winter studying music, and she sang scales three hours a day; she had a room next mine. I should advise you to go to Florence--they say there are better singing-masters there." "I shall not sing scales," said Estelle firmly. "I thought one always had to," put in Ragna. "Not with a voice like mine; my voice is far beyond scales." "That is very satisfactory, dear Fröken," said the old lady. "My dear," this to Ragna, "will you give me the largest tartlet,--the one with the most jam on it?" "I hope," remarked Fru Bjork, "that you will do nothing so silly as to train for the stage, Estelle." She was about to add, "at your age, too," but refrained. Estelle simpered. "Why should it be silly, Fru Bjork, if I feel it to be my vocation? Why should I not give utterance to the sacred fire that is within me? Is it not my duty to humanity?" Fru Bjork found no answer to this, and held her peace, but Ragna was more daring. "Do you think you have a stage presence, Estelle?" she asked. "Why not? I am tall--besides, it is much more important to have voice and temperament. I feel it my mission to redeem the stage. Why do you ask me such a question?" Ragna was saved from answering by the old lady. "My dear! My dear! Pick me out something before they carry the fruit around! Last evening that man with the whiskers at the end of the table took the last banana, before I had a chance."