I think of them with shame, and yet there are some among them whom the world has loaded with its applause.

And every fresh attempt has proved a fresh illusion." And here he again broke off the conversation, and left Madam Kramm to cogitate upon this strange story for another week.

She said not a word about it to any one.
On the following Sunday, Abellino again made his appearance.

He kept silence till the singing was quite over, but it was clear from his face that there was something he would very much have liked to ask, had he not been too shy to do so.

At last, however, he constrained himself to speak.
"Pardon me for troubling you with such a question, madam, and do not take it ill of me; but do you not know the singer personally?
I have so many times been deceived in my benevolent intentions that I scarce dare to approach any one without making preliminary inquiries.