In the interval between tea and seven o’clock she superintended the arrangement of the piano in the drawing-room, taking care that the light from an electric hand-lamp close by should shine advantageously on her hair while she was playing. She decided that she would play one of the Chopin Etudes.... § 5 At a quarter past seven the room was full. According to custom visitors introduced themselves to one another, the crowd being altogether too large for ceremonious introductions. Late-comers came in quietly and unostentatiously, sitting down where they could and nodding casually to people they knew. The lighting was æsthetically dim, being afforded by a few heavily-shaded electric hand-lamps scattered promiscuously on tables and book-cases. Every available corner was occupied by extra chairs brought in from other parts of the house, and the central arena in front of the fireplace was a dumping-ground for music-cases, ’cellos, violins, etc. Catherine occupied a roomy arm-chair next to the fire, and was conscious that she was being looked at attentively. A red-shaded lamp on the end of the mantel-piece threw her hair into soft radiance, but its effect on her eyes was so dazzling as to throw all around her into an impenetrable dimness in which she could discern nothing but the vague suggestion of persons and things. George sat next to her, and from time to time passed remarks to which she replied vivaciously, conscious that every movement of her head brought into prominence the splendour of her hair. (Of late she had been paying considerable attention to her hair: a visit to a West End coiffurist had produced startling results.) The evening crawled monotonously on. Log after log of crackling pine was placed on the open fire-grate; song followed song, violin, ’cello, mandoline each had its turn; a girl recited “The Dandy Fifth” in a way that was neither better nor worse than what Catherine felt she could have done herself, and Mr. Trant’s deep voice could be heard constantly above the periodic applause: “Charming little thing that.” “Is that one of Bach’s?” (pronounced “Back’s”). “Very pretty, isn’t it? Rather nice words, don’t you think?”