"It takes so long to tune one of those old things, and then nothing will make them stand.

Now this one, you see,--or rather you cannot see,--has an ingenious contrivance of screws by which you may tune it in a moment." While he was speaking he was altering the pitch of the strings, and presently he added, "There, it is done now," and two or three sounding chords fell on the still air.

"Now what shall I sing?
I await your commands." "Something soft, and sweet, and gentle." "A love-song ?" asked he quietly.
"Well yes--a love-song if you like.

Why not ?" said she.
"No reason in the world that I can think of," I remarked.

Whereat Lord Steepleton Kildare threw his cigar away, and began lighting another a moment after, as if he had discarded his weed by mistake.
Isaacs struck a few chords softly, and then began a sort of running accompaniment.