That which was fine in him was constantly checked and held down by the gross; the merely animal overpowered the spiritual; and it was only upon occasion that his heavenly companion, the violin, could raise him a few feet above the mire and the clay.

She never succeeded in setting his feet on a rock; while, on the contrary, he often dragged her with him into the mire of questionable company and circumstances.

Worthy Mr.Falconer would have been horrified to see his umquhile modest companion in such society as that into which she was now introduced at times.

But nevertheless the soutar was a good and patient teacher; and although it took Robert rather more than a fortnight to redeem his pledge to Shargar, he did make progress.

It could not, however, be rapid, seeing that an hour at a time, two evenings in the week, was all that he could give to the violin.