Then they took it in turns to watch from the garret window how the valiant young woman-hunter, the would-be seducer, who had himself fallen into the pit, cooled his heels for hours in the mouse-trap they had prepared for him, and when at last the rain began to fall, they went to bed full of malicious joy, with the house-keys tucked snugly beneath their pillows, and listening with delight to the rain pattering against the window-panes.
This very considerable defeat only raised the ardour of the huntsman still higher.

What, to surrender to an inexperienced child! to be worsted by a pair of old women! Why, _l'esprit de corps_ could not let matters rest there; and Abellino, who was the leader of the band, took upon himself to rehabilitate their _renommee_, as he called it, and with proud self-confidence laid a bet to a very considerable amount that, within twelve months' time, he would induce this beauty to quit her paradise and come and live with him--naturally not as his consort.
On the following Sunday Fanny sang the "Stabat Mater Dolorosa" in the cathedral sublimely, and the heart of every worshipper was filled with devotion.

Dame Kramm, decked out in all her Sabbath finery, was sitting by one of the side altars, enjoying in her own way the child's beautiful singing, when she heard an enraptured voice close beside her sigh, "Oh, what splendid, what sublime singing!" She immediately felt bound to turn round and see who it was that was pouring forth the rapture of his soul so abundantly.
She saw before her a modestly attired gentleman, who wore mourning on his hat, and had just dried a tear from his upturned eye.

It was Abellino Karpathy.
"She sings beautifully, sir, does she not ?" said the good spinster, proudly.
"Like an angel! Ah, madam, every time I hear such singing the tears start from my eyes." And the sensitive youth put his handkerchief to his eyes again.

Then he departed without saying another word to Dame Kramm.
The whole week through Dame Kramm was tortured by curiosity.