With her in the railway carriage she kept a violin-case.

A professional musician?
'Noch nicht' was her answer, with a laugh.

She knew Leipzig?
Oh dear, yes, and many other parts of Germany; had travelled a good deal; was an entirely free and independent person, quite without national prejudice, indeed without prejudice of any kind.

And in the same breath she spoke slightingly, if not contemptuously, of England and everything English.
At Leipzig she stayed until the end of April, living with a family named Gassner, people whom she had known for some years.

Only on condition that she would take up her abode with this household had Mrs.
Frothingham consented to make her an allowance and let her go abroad.
Alma fretted at the restriction; she wished to have a room of her own in a lodging-house; but the family life improved her command of German--something gained.