And now I shall play the piece whether you like it or not." She opened the piano.

What she had in mind was one of the "Moments Musicaux" of Schubert--a strain of exquisite melody, which ceased too soon.

Cecily sat for a few moments at the key-board after she had finished, her head bent; then she came and stood before Miriam.
"Do you like it ?" There was no answer.

She looked steadily at the trouble a ace, and, as it still kept averted from her, she laid her arms softly, half playfully, about Miriam's neck.
"Why must there always be such a distance between us, Miriam dear?
Even when I seem so near to you as this, what a deep black gulf really separates us!" "You were once on my side of it" said Miriam, her voice softened.

"How did you pass to the other ?" "How could I tell you?
No one read me lectures, or taught me hard arguments.