A moment afterwards they re-entered the house.
Mr.Jasper was seated at the piano as they came into his drawing-room, and was accompanying Miss Rosebud while she sang.

It was a consequence of his playing the accompaniment without notes, and of her being a heedless little creature, very apt to go wrong, that he followed her lips most attentively, with his eyes as well as hands; carefully and softly hinting the key-note from time to time.

Standing with an arm drawn round her, but with a face far more intent on Mr.Jasper than on her singing, stood Helena, between whom and her brother an instantaneous recognition passed, in which Mr.Crisparkle saw, or thought he saw, the understanding that had been spoken of, flash out.

Mr.Neville then took his admiring station, leaning against the piano, opposite the singer; Mr.Crisparkle sat down by the china shepherdess; Edwin Drood gallantly furled and unfurled Miss Twinkleton's fan; and that lady passively claimed that sort of exhibitor's proprietorship in the accomplishment on view, which Mr.
Tope, the Verger, daily claimed in the Cathedral service.
[Picture: At the piano] The song went on.

It was a sorrowful strain of parting, and the fresh young voice was very plaintive and tender.