"He has a capital manner," returned the general. "There is something very taking about him, indeed." "Oh yes, manner; yes; a very good manner--but there's more judgment, more solidity about him than appears on the surface." Meanwhile, Algernon went on flourishingly, and ingratiated himself with every one. He steered his way, with admirable tact, past various perils, such as must inevitably threaten one who aims at universal popularity. Lady Harriet was delighted with his singing, and Lady Harriet's expressed approbation pleased Lady Seely; for the Dormers were considered to be great musical connoisseurs, and their judgment had considerable weight among their own set. Their own set further supposed that the verdict of the Dormers was important to professional artists: a delusion which the givers of second-rate concerts, who depended on Lady Harriet to get rid of many seven-and-sixpenny tickets during the season, were at no pains to disturb. Then, Algernon took the precaution to keep away from Lord Seely, and to devote himself to my lady, during the remainder of the evening. This behaviour had so good an effect, that she called him "Ancram," and bade him go and talk to Castalia, who was sitting alone on a distant ottoman, with a distinctly sour expression of countenance. "How did you get on with Castalia at dinner?" asked my lady. "Miss Kilfinane was very kind to me, ma'am." "Was she? Well, she don't make herself agreeable to everybody, so consider yourself honoured. Castalia's a very clever girl. She can draw, make wax flowers, and play the piano beautifully." "Can she really? Will she play to-night?" "I'm sure I don't know. Go and ask her." "May I?" "Yes; be off." Miss Kilfinane did not move or raise her eyes when Algernon went and stood before her. "I have come with a petition," he said, after a little pause. "Have you?" "Yes; will you play to-night?" "No." "Oh, that's very cruel! I wish you would!" "I don't like playing before the Dormers. They set up for being such connoisseurs, and I hate that kind of thing." "I am sure you can have no reason to fear their criticism." "I don't want to have my performance picked to pieces in that knowing sort of way. I play for my own amusement, and I don't want to be criticised, and applauded, and patronised." "But how can people help applauding when you play? Lady Seely says you play exquisitely." "Did she tell you to ask me to play?" "Not exactly. But she said I might ask you." At this moment General Dormer came up, and said, with his most benevolent smile, "Won't you give us a little music, Miss Kilfinane? Some Beethoven, now! I see a volume of his sonatas on the piano." "I hate Beethoven," returned Miss Kilfinane. "Hate Beethoven! No, no, you don't. It's quite impossible! A pianist like you! Oh no, Miss Kilfinane, it is out of the question." "Yes, I do. I hate all classical music, and the sort of stuff that people talk about it."