"What was that? I never heard it before."
"I have, often," said he, resting his chin upon his hand, "in the sound of streams--in the rush of a crowd--upon a mountain--yes, even alone with the woman I--" He broke off abruptly.
"But never on a violin before?" said I, significantly.
"Why don't you print some of those impromptus that you are always making?" I asked.
He shrugged his shoulders. Ere I could pursue the question some one knocked at the door, and in answer to our _herein!_ appeared a handsome, laughing face, and a head of wavy hair, which, with a tall, shapely figure, I recognized as those of Karl Linders.
"I told you fellows I'd hunt you up, and I always keep my word," said he, composedly. "You can't very well turn me out for calling upon you."
He advanced. Courvoisier rose, and with a courteous cordiality offered his hand and drew a chair up. Karl came forward, looking round, smiling and chuckling at the success of his experiment, and as he came opposite to me his eyes fell upon those of the child, who had raised his head and was staring gravely at him.
Never shall I forget the start--the look of amaze, almost of fear, which shot across the face of Herr Linders. Amazement would be a weak word in which to describe it. He stopped, stood stock-still in the middle of the room; his jaw fell--he gazed from one to the other of us in feeble astonishment, then said, in a whisper:
"Don't use bad language before the little innocent," said I, enjoying his confusion.
"Which of you does it belong to? Is it he or she?" he inquired in an awe-struck and alarmed manner.
"His name is Sigmund Courvoisier," said I, with difficulty preserving my gravity.
"Oh, indeed! I--I wasn't aware--" began Karl, looking at Eugen in such a peculiar manner--half respectful, half timid, half ashamed--that I could no longer contain my feelings, but burst into such a shout of laughter as I had not enjoyed for years. After a moment, Eugen joined in; we laughed peal after peal of laughter, while poor Karl stood feebly looking from one to the other of the company--speechless--crestfallen.
"I beg your pardon." he said, at last, "I won't intrude any longer. Good--"
He was making for the door, but Eugen made a dash after him, turned him round, and pushed him into a chair.