Free On wings of song by Mary Burchell

interested in Jeremy.
    'He—admires her very much, both artistically and personally,' she replied, and for the first time there was hesitation in her flow of information.
    'Do you mind very much?' He looked up and straight at her.
    'Passionately/' Suddenly her remarkable eyes blazed at him, and the one word came out with a force which shook her to the core.
    'Splendid,' said Oscar Warrender, and his one word, though quietly spoken, was as significant as hers.
    'What do you mean? It—^makes me very unhappy.' She glanced down at her tightly clasped hands.
    'That is immaterial,' he told her coolly. 'Success—^particularly artistic success—is not built on imadulterated happiness.'
    'But ' indignation rose in her at this casual
    dismissal of her misery about Jeremy and, to her own dismay, she heard herself challenge him with, 'Have you ever known what it is to be terribly unhappy?'

    *Of course. No fiilly developed person goes through Ufe without experiencing the extremes of emotion/ he told her not unkindly. *But your imhappiness is not the factor which made me express satisfaction. It was the way you looked and the tone of your voice. In one word and with one direct glance you showed me that you can express tremendous depth of feeling in your face and your voice. If it's any consolation to you, Lucille Duparc has to work much harder to produce an equal effect/ he added with a slight smile.
    'Does she?* Caroline caught her breath. *Do you mean that one day I might possibly be as—as arresting as she is?'
    'Difficult to tell. She is the product of much work on her own part and the part of those who have schooled her. We still have to find out how you respond. The vocal foimdation has been well laid by your Miss—Curtis, isn't it?—and you say you play the piano reasonably well?'
    Caroline nodded.
    *I would suggest that you continue your basic singing lessons with her, but in addition you will need intensive coaching in the study and interpretation of roles, the understanding of musical nuances, the value of tone colour and so on—everything which belongs to the development of an artist as distinct from a mere warbler. Apart from that '
    'Sir Oscar,' interrupted Caroline rather anxiously, 'all this is going to be very expensive, isn't it?'
    'Oh, yes. The training of a worthwhile singer is not a cheap proposition,' he agreed. 'I'm only

    outlining what ideally you should do. How—or even if—you follow that out is of course your own concern, though I can recommend you to the right people for the purpose. In addition, if you set your sights on an operatic career—which I would say is your right milieu both vocally and personally—there would be the further matter of some stage training.'
    She was silent in dismay at the immensity of the task confronting her, and finally she said slowly,
    *rm afraid we're talking rather far outside the sphere of practical possibilities. As I told you, I have a well paid but not spectacular office job. In addition I have a modest bank balance made up of the last of the money left me by my parents and part of the very generous reward Lady Warrender gave me for finding her ring. It would be idle for me to pretend there's anyone else to whom I could turn.'
    *Think it over,' he replied calmly. 'It's remarkable the paths one can explore if one is utterly dedicated to a fixed purpose. What about Kennedy Marshall? Might he feel like making a generous contribution?'
    'My employer?' Caroline sounded so shocked that Oscar Warrender laughed. 'I couldn't think of asking him for anything!'
    'No?' He continued to look amused and even a trifle curious. 'Is he the kind who would expect something in return?'
    'Certainly not!'
    *I see. Well, it will be for you to consider the situation, decide what you might undertake in the immediate future, and canvass every possibility

    for financing your programme. I think I should tell you that in my view you're probably worth a good deal of effort—^and