"I need not tell my mother of my fears," thought Ulric to himself, "for they may, after all, prove to be only fears, and what would be the use of making her miserable in such a case?" And he was so bright and cheerful that evening in the little sitting-room over the grocer's shop, that even his mother's eyes failed to discover that he had had more than usual anxiety that day.
One week, two weeks, three weeks passed. It was the day of the last of the six lessons.
"Mother," said Basil that morning when he was starting for school. "I have my violin lesson this afternoon when I come home, you know. Herr Wildermann told me to ask you if you would come in to-day while I am playing. Not at the beginning, please, but about half-way through. He wants you to see if I am getting on better," and then, with a very happy kiss, he was off.
Lady Iltyd had left Basil quite to himself about his violin these last weeks. She had not _heard_ much of his practising, but she had noticed that he got his school lessons done quickly and without needing to be reminded, and then regularly disappeared in his own quarters, and she had her private hopes and expectations.
Nor were they disappointed. What cannot be done with patience and cheerfulness? Those three weeks had seen more progress made than the three months before, and Basil's eyes danced with pleasure when he left off playing and stood waiting to hear what his mother would say.
She said nothing, but she drew him to her and kissed him tenderly, and Basil, peeping up half shyly--for somehow, as he told Blanche afterwards, "mother's _pleased_ kisses" always made him feel a little shy--saw a glimmer of tears in her eyes.
"You _are_ pleased, mother?" he whispered, and another kiss was the answer. Then the young stranger came forward.
"Herr Wildermann, I must thank you for all the trouble you have taken. I am more than pleased," said Lady Iltyd warmly. "How have you succeeded so well? You have taught him more than his music--you have taught him to persevere, and to keep up heart in spite of difficulties."
"He has taught himself, madame," said Ulric eagerly, his face flushing. "It was his kind heart that gave him what he needed. Ah, Master Basil," he went on, turning to his little pupil, "I must now tell the whole, and then it will be to say if you are still to continue your lessons."