It put him on his guard.
"Yes, I was there.

You were pointed out to me." "You were with some old friends of mine.

I suppose they gave you an account of me ?" "They were beginning it; but then Melba began to sing, and some horrid people in the next box said 'Hush!'" She studied him in a laughing silence a moment, her chin on her hand, then said: "That is the worst of the opera; it stops so much interesting conversation." "You don't care for the music ?" "Oh, I am a musician!" she said quickly.

"I teach it.

But I am like the mad King of Bavaria--I want an opera-house to myself." "You teach it ?" he said, in amazement.
She nodded, smiling.