"By the way I have been learning to sing "Siegfried," Bianca, studying with my old German singing master. He says I sing the music very poorly, but it has been fun trying to learn. "I know one who lies Fast in slumber deep Sleeping age long sleep, Waiting for thy waking." Carlo's voice sounded clear and beautiful in the big room. "If your hair were unbound and you were older you might look like Brunhilde some day, Bianca." "You are singing better than ever, Carlo, I am so glad!" Bianca murmured, forgetful of herself. She looked a little paler and more fragile after her illness, yet with her light yellow hair, her delicate features and large dark eyes prettier perhaps than her companion ever remembered seeing her. "And the dancing, Bee, I gave that up soon after our talk. I did not need it for diversion after I began my music lessons. Besides, Miss Thompson has taught so many of the soldiers folk dancing and some of them are now so good at it that she no longer wishes me for her partner." Bianca colored. "I am sorry I told you I did not like Thea Thompson, Carlo. It is foolish to be prejudiced against people, isn't it? She has been extremely kind to me during my illness and both Sonya and I have learned to understand her better. Besides, I was prejudiced perhaps because of you," Bianca ended frankly. But Carlo made no comment. Never did it fail to interest him Bianca's strange combination of childishness and womanhood. But today she seemed almost altogether childlike. At this instant getting up Carlo walked over to the mantel where he put down his tea cup and then stood looking down on Bianca. "Then we are friends, aren't we, Bee? And I hope we may never misunderstand each other again. I have been worried over your being ill and our not being fond of each other in the old way. You may have to forgive me many things and perhaps I may have other friends in the future of whom you may not approve, but you must not think they will make me forget my loyalty to you." Bianca was about to reply, but before this was possible Sonya Clark had opened the door and re-entered the room. She glanced at Carlo Navara with a slight frown and then walked over and laid her hand on Bianca's fair hair. "Bee is looking better than you expected to find her, isn't she, Carlo, and more like a little girl? I for one am glad her illness has turned her young again. The war in France has made most of us older than we were intended to be, but all the pain and struggle of it was especially hard upon a girl young as Bianca. I am going to take her back to New York as soon as Dr. Clark is able to return and after a year at school I mean to bring her out into New York society as my grown-up daughter. I have always wanted a real one and Bianca will be a lovely substitute. Don't you think she will probably have many admirers, Carlo?" Carlo looked a little annoyed.