I think she is a German lady of noble family." "An adventuress then.

And her name ?" "Isabella--but I think no one would be justified in calling her an adventuress." "Was she married ?" "There was something matronly in her majestic appearance, yet she never spoke of a husband.

The old Italian woman, her duenna, always called her Donna Isabella, but she possessed little more knowledge of her past than I." "Is that good or evil ?" "Nothing at all, Fraulein." "And what led her to Rome ?" "She practised the art of singing, of which she was mistress; but did not cease studying, and made great progress in Rome.

I was permitted to instruct her in counterpoint." "And did she appear in public as a singer ?" "Yes and no.

A distinguished foreign prelate was her patron, and his recommendation opened every door, even the Palestrina's.