And when the whisper went round that this was to be her only song--that Baroni had laid his veto upon her singing twice--the clapping and demands for an encore were redoubled.
Olga Lermontof's eyes, roaming over the room, rested at last upon the face of Max Errington, and with the recollection of Diana's hesitancy at the beginning of the song a brief smile flashed across her face.
"What shall I do ?" Diana, who had bowed repeatedly without stemming the applause, turned to the accompanist, a little flushed with the thrill of this first public recognition of her gifts.
"Sing 'The Haven of Memory,'" whispered Olga.
It was a sad little love lyric which Baroni himself had set to music specially for the voice of his favourite pupil, and as Diana's low rich notes took up the plaintive melody, the audience settled itself down with a sigh of satisfaction to listen once more.
Do you remember Our great love's pure unfolding, The troth you gave, And prayed for God's upholding, Long and long ago?
Out of the past A dream--and then the waking-- Comes back to me, Of love and love's forsaking Ere the summer waned.
Ah! let me dream That still a little kindness Dwelt in the smile That chid my foolish blindness, When you said good-bye.
Let me remember, When I am very lonely, How once your love But crowned and blessed me only, Long and long ago! [1] The haunting melody ceased, and an infinitesimal pause ensued before the clapping broke out.

It was rather subdued this time; more than one pair of eyes were looking at the singer through the grey mist of memory.
An old lady with very white hair and a reputation for a witty tongue that had been dipped in vinegar came up to Diana as she descended from the platform.
"My dear," she said, and the keen old eyes were suddenly blurred and dim.

"I want to thank you.

One is apt to forget--when one is very lonely--that we've most of us worn love's crown just once--if only for a few moments of our lives.

.