My own opinion is that so long as woman is fair and man has the wit to appreciate her, we ARE in Eden." The gracious tone in which he delivered this dictum, and the moving smile that accompanied it, appeared to atone completely for his relative's cynical philosophy.

With a smile and a sigh Julia murmured-- "Do you really think so ?" "I do," said the Count fervently; "and now suppose we were to have a little music ?" "Oh yes!" cried Miss Minchell; "do you perform, Count Bunker ?" "I sometimes sing a little to the guitar." "To the guitar!" said Julia.

"How delicious! Have you brought it ?" "I have been so bold," he smiled, and promptly went to fetch this instrument.
In a few minutes he returned with an apologetic air.
"I find that by some error they have sent me away with a banjo instead," he exclaimed.

"But I dare say I could manage an accompaniment on that if you would condescend to listen to me." He felt so exceedingly disinclined for expounding a philosophy any longer that he gave them no time to dissent, even had they wished to, but on the instant struck up that pathetic ditty-- "Down by whar de beans grow blue." And no sooner had he finished it than (barely waiting for his meed of applause) he further regaled them with-- "Twould make a fellow Turn green and yellow! Finally, as a tit-bit, he contributed-- "When hubby s gone to Brighton, And I ve sent the cook to bed, Oh who's that a-knocking on the window!" At the conclusion of this concert he knew not whether to feel more relieved or chagrined to observe that his fair hostess had her eyes fixed upon the clock.

Thanking him with a slightly embarrassed air, she threw a pointed glance at Miss Minchell, and the two ladies rose.
"I am afraid you will think we keep very early hours," she began.
"It is one of the best rules in my uncle's philosophy," he interposed.
Yet though glad enough to have come so triumphantly to the end of his ordeal, he could not bring himself to let his charming disciple leave him in a wounded or even disappointed mood.