appraisal, before moving on to Erlein, and ting, finally, upon her son.

    t seen since een years old.

    ttering and cold, one  and set just beloed, fierce and c of t before s even ing for an anso  question—Devin realized t hose eyes was rage.

    It  face, in t o the arms of her chair.

    An inner fire of anger t

    ale.

    Devin so of range. A moment later   bothing.

    even tion  been meant to be ansh.

    For a long time, a sequence of moments t seemed to  speaking, e, imperious features quite unreadable. At last, sloher was such a handsome man.”

    Devin flinc tone, but Alessan seemed scarcely to react at all. . quot;I knorain must  just before it got to me.”

    read a message turn, murmured someto torre he room.

    to stand guard in front, Devin realized, feeling a ce t been spoken  could kill t Erlein and sa t of its case. ook a position near tern ly began tuning rument.

    Of course, Devin t: Erlein kneo play for a dying   muc now.

    quot;Musicians,quot; tempt to ;o play a jingle for me noo sant to ease a mot; t unbearable in one.

    Alessan did not move, too ray ension t too casual stance, ted simulation of ease.

    quot;If it ; ly. quot;time I can remember w of music would indeed  you pleasure.”

    ttered coldly. quot;time for music. han name.”

    quot;O; said Alessan, a little s;true men and ormed ts of C terror at termination. Mot let it rest, even no of our family and een years.quot; ened, greedl