But, receiving no attention from the music-rapt girl, the cat now dropped to the floor, and started toward the stairs.
At the same time, the violin sounded anew.

And Gavin frowned in disappointment.

For, no longer was it singing its heart out in the magic of an immortal melody.

Instead, it swung into the once-popular strains of "Oh, Promise Me!" And now it seemed as though Hade were wantonly making fun of his earlier beautiful playing and of the effect he must have known it had had upon his hearers.

For he played heavily, monotonously, more like a dance-hall soloist than a master.
And, as though his choice of an air were not sharp enough contrast to his other selections, he strummed amateurishly and without a shred of technique or of feeling.
Jarring as was the result upon Brice, it seemed even more so on Simon Cameron.