Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/243

 "You speak as if you had seen that yourself!"

"Perhaps,"—began Hulmar, but checked himself, and turned the subject by requesting Reva to endeavor to improvise a march with that tune as theme. Beginning by simply repeating the melody with slight variations, she proceeded to introduce chords in imitation of the "tramp, tramp" I had described to her, intermingled with the sound of distant firing.

Had I the power to reproduce this grand improvisation, the republic would possess a national march unsurpassed for majesty, and Rouget de l'Isle would have a rival in fame. Hulmar himself, accustomed as he was to his daughter's playing, was astonished, as he subsequently acknowledged. Inspired by what she had just heard, she poured out in tone the emotions the grand theme aroused within her. Towards the end, the triumphant strain gradually died away to an almost inaudible minor movement, suggestive of the shadow cast by even the justest and most triumphant war.

We were sitting in silence, Reva still facing the instrument, when, through the open window, Ialma and Utis stepped in from the veranda.

"I wish Ulmene had heard that," said Ialna. "You never played like that before."

She then proceeded to explain, that, finding Utis was coming, she had taken the opportunity to come to stay over night with Reva, for whom she had several messages from her brother.

"I was just wishing you were here," said Reva. "I have so much to tell you."

Utis and I did not remain long after this, as it was