"Oh, Millicent!" I cried, as I breathlessly attained a seat in front of both their faces, "I am so sorry, but I was obliged to go with the Chevalier." And then I related how I had found him in my room. They were much edified; and then I got into one of my agonies to know what they both thought about him. Davy, with his bright smile at noonday, said in reply to my impassioned queries, "He certainly is, Charles, the very handsomest person I have ever seen." "Mr. Davy! Handsome! I am quite sure you are laughing, or you would never call him handsome." "Well, I have just given offence to my wife in the same way. It is very well for me that Millicent does not especially care for what is handsome." "But she likes beauty, Mr. Davy; she likes whatever I like; and I know just exactly how she feels when she looks at your eyes. What very beautiful eyes yours are, Mr. Davy! Don't you think so, Millicent?" Davy laughed so very loud that the echoes called back to him again, and Millicent said,-- "He knows what I think, Charles." "But you never told me so much, did you, my love?" "I like to hear you say 'my love' to Millicent, Mr. Davy." "And I like to say it, Charles." "And she likes to hear it. Now, Mr. Davy, about 'handsome.' You should not call him so,--why do you? You did not at the festival." "Well, Charles, when I saw this wonderful being at the festival, there was a melancholy in his expression which was, though touching, almost painful; and I do not see it any longer, but, on the contrary, an exquisite sprightliness instead. He was also thinner then, and paler,--no one can wish to see him so pale; but his colour now looks like the brightest health. He certainly _is_ handsome, Charles." "Oh, Mr. Davy, I am sorry you think so! But he does look well. I know what you mean, and I should think that he must be very happy. But besides that, Mr. Davy, you cannot tell how often his face changes. I have seen it change and change till I wondered what was coming next. I suppose, Mr. Davy, it is his forehead you call handsome?" "It is the brow of genius, and as such requires no crown. Otherwise, I should say his air is quite royal. Does he teach here, Charles? Surely not." "No, Mr. Davy, but he appoints our professors. I suppose you know he chose my master, Anastase, though he is so young, to be at the head of all the violins?" "No, Charles, it is not easy to find out what is done here, without the walls." "No, Mr. Davy, nor within them either. I don't know much about the Chevalier's private life, but I know he is very rich, and has no Christian name. He has done an immense deal for Cecilia. No one knows exactly how much, for he won't let it be told; but it is because he is so rich, I suppose, that he does not give lessons. But he is to superintend our grand examination next year."