The two ladies had arrived, with Roderick, silent and careless, in attendance.

Miss Blanchard was also present, escorted by Mr.Leavenworth, and the party was completed by a dozen artists of both sexes and various nationalities.

It was a friendly and easy assembly, like all Madame Grandoni's parties, and in the course of the evening there was some excellent music.

People played and sang for Madame Grandoni, on easy terms, who, elsewhere, were not to be heard for the asking.

She was herself a superior musician, and singers found it a privilege to perform to her accompaniment.