"Really?" asked Von Barwig in surprise.
"Really!" responded Hélène with positive emphasis.
"Ah, you spoil me, young lady; you spoil me! But come, just a few bars on the piano, that I may see where my young pupil stands."
Hélène looked at him and laughed mischievously.
"Very well," she said, rising with evident reluctance. "I will play you 'The Maiden's Prayer'——"
"Hum," said Von Barwig dubiously. "She has prayed so many times this poor maiden; it is time she should be answered. However, it is for you to decide!"
Hélène seated herself at the piano and played that well-known and sorely tried air through as badly as she possibly could. When she had finished she placed her elbows on the keyboard and said: "How do you like this maiden's prayer?"
Von Barwig looked at her critically. "You can do better than that," he said.
"How do you know?" she asked quickly.
"Because, at some points you added notes of your own. You increased the bass, greatly improving the original harmony of the composition," replied Von Barwig. "You have talent," he added. "Badly as you play, badly as you execute, your talent stands out. No one can add to the composer's work without having musical ideas of his own."