A few minutes later Wolf stood before the sovereign, and, in Appenzelder's name, informed him in a tone of sincere regret, yet with a certain degree of reserve, that the performance of the choir boys that day would leave much to be desired, for two of the best singers had not yet recovered.
"But the substitute, the admirable substitute ?" Charles impatiently interrupted.
"That is just what troubles us," Wolf replied uneasily.

"The magnificent new voice wishes to desert the maestro to-night." "Desert ?" cried the Emperor angrily.

"A choir boy in the service of her Majesty the Queen of Hungary! So there is still something new under the sun." "Certainly," replied Wolf with a low bow, still striving, in obedience to the regent's strict command, not to reveal the sex of the new member of the choir.

"And this case is especially unusual.

This voice is not in her Majesty's service.