"It was Christmas," repeated the Comte, "and because of that you are invited to a--a--soirée to-day. Do you know the English children on the entresol?" "I have seen them," faltered Pépin, "but we have never spoken. You told me"-- "I have changed my mind," broke in his father. "Monsieur 'Ameelton"--stumbling desperately over the English name--"has asked me to let you visit them this afternoon, and I have said yes to him. Elizabeth will dress you. Now you may go." Barely conscious that Pépin had added a timid "Merci, papa!" to his customary bow, de Villersexel turned to his writing-table, as the door closed behind the little Vicomte, and, unlocking a drawer, took therefrom a letter which had come to him that morning, and, burying himself in his arm-chair, proceeded to its careful reperusal. It was in the fine Italian handwriting of Pazzini, and ran as follows:-- MY DEAR FRIEND,--This is to be at once a confession and a prayer. What would you say if I were to tell you that Pazzini--the flawless Pazzini, as men are pleased to call me!--murdered, yes, murdered last night's sonata by flatting that wonderful final note? Oh, it was a very little thing, and passed unnoticed, for they are stupid, these wise people who listen to me, and they did not hear. Even you, my poor friend, even you could not detect that tiny flaw that was a monstrous crime. No, of all who listened, there were but two that understood what I had done. I was one of these, and the other was your son--Pépin. Do you know what that means, Monsieur le Comte de Villersexel? Do you understand that it is but one ear in millions that is so finely keyed that this minutest deviation could wound it like the most utter discord? And I wounded him, your Pépin. I saw it in his eyes. Therefore I tell you--I, who know--that he is a genius, a genius greater than his mother, and that, like her, he must be my pupil. I have none other now. It shall be the work of my old age to make him the greatest violinist of his day. Give him to me, my friend, if not for his own sake, then for hers! PAZZINI.