The kindly lady brought Emilia between herself and Mr.Powys, saying, "I don't intend to let you be the star of the evening and outshine us all." After which, conversation commenced, and Brookfield had reason to admire her ladyship's practised play upon the social instrument, surely the grandest of all, the chords being men and women.

Consider what an accomplishment this is! Albeit Brookfield knew itself a student at Richford, Adela was of too impatient a wit to refrain from little ventures toward independence, if not rivalry.

"What we do," she uttered distinctively once or twice.

Among other things she spoke of "our discovery," to attest her declaration that, to wakeful eyes, neither Hillford nor any other place on earth was dull.

Cornelia flushed at hearing the name of Mr.Barrett pronounced publicly by her sister.
"An organist an accomplished man!" Lady Gosstre repeated Adela's words.
"Well, I suppose it is possible, but it rather upsets one's notions, does it not ?" "Yes, but agreeably," said Adela, with boldness; and related how he had been introduced, and hinted that he was going to be patronized.
"The man cannot maintain himself on the income that sort of office brings him," Lady Gosstre observed.
"Oh, no," said Adela.