Emil twitched his underlip somewhat slightly, as if discontented.

"Why, yes," she continued, undaunted; "quite recently I saw your portraitin an illustrated paper."

"Yes, yes," he said impatiently.

"But I always knew that you would make a name for yourself," sheadded. "Do you still remember how you played the Mendelssohn Concertoat that final examination at the Conservatoire? Everybody exclaimed thesame thing then."

"I beg you, my dear girl, don't, please, let us have any more of thesemutual compliments! Tell me, what sort of a man was your late husband?"

"He sometimes was a good; indeed, I might say noble, man."