Oh, creature!" "But, dear Duchess," pursued Garth persuasively, "if the county did not know, the county will not be disappointed.

They are coming to listen to one another, and to hear themselves, and to enjoy your claret-cup and ices.

All this they will do, and go away delighted, saying how cleverly the dear duchess, discovers and exploits local talent." "Ah, ha!" said the duchess, with a gleam in the hawk eye, and a raising of the hooked nose-which Mrs.Parker Bangs of Chicago, who had met the duchess once or twice, described as "genuine Plantagenet"-- "but they will go away wise in their own conceits, and satisfied with their own mediocre performances.

My idea is to let them do it, and then show them how it should be done." "But Aunt 'Gina," said Jane, gently; "surely you forget that most of these people have been to town and heard plenty of good music, Madame Velma herself most likely, and all the great singers.

They know they cannot sing like a prima donna; but they do their anxious best, because you ask them.