During the above skirmish, the hall, which, I had thought, seemed full at the entrance, continued to admit party after party, until the semicircle before the stage presented one dense mass of heads, sloping from floor to ceiling. The stage, too, or rather the wide temporary platform, larger than any stage, desert half an hour since, was now overflowing with life; round two grand pianos, placed about the centre, a white flock of young girls, the pupils of the Conservatoire, had noiselessly poured. I had noticed their gathering, while Graham and his mother were engaged in discussing the belle in blue satin, and had watched with interest the process of arraying and marshalling them. Two gentlemen, in each of whom I recognised an acquaintance, officered this virgin troop. One, an artistic-looking man, bearded, and with long hair, was a noted pianiste , and also the first music-teacher in Villette; he attended twice a week at Madame Beck’s pensionnat , to give lessons to the few pupils whose parents were rich enough to allow their daughters the privilege of his instructions; his name was M.

Josef Emanuel, and he was half-brother to M. Paul, which potent personage was now visible in the person of the second gentleman.