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He had taught them both to sing. He had himself a pretty talent for
playing on the oaten reed, a little flute of that period. He played on
it agreeably, as also on the chiffonie, a sort of beggar's
hurdy-gurdy, mentioned in the Chronicle of Bertrand Duguesclin as the
"
truant instrument," which started the symphony. These instruments
attracted the crowd. Ursus would show them the chiffonie, and say, "It
is called organistrum in Latin."
He had taught Dea and Gwynplaine to sing, according to the method of
Orpheus and of Egide Binchois. Frequently he interrupted the lessons
with cries of enthusiasm, such as "Orpheus, musician of Greece!
Binchois, musician of Picardy!"
These branches of careful culture did not occupy the children so as to
prevent their adoring each other. They had mingled their hearts together
as they grew up, as two saplings planted near mingle their branches as
they become trees.
"No matter," said Ursus. "I will marry them."
Then he grumbled to himself,--
"
They are quite tiresome with their love."
The past--their little past, at least--had no existence for Dea and
Gwynplaine. They knew only what Ursus had told them of it. They called
Ursus father. The only remembrance which Gwynplaine had of his infancy
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