Though mocking and mischievous, there was yet something kind and playful in her tone; he felt quite happy again as he followed her in, meekly, like a lamb to the slaughter. Miss Ross, although she had taken up a position more adapted to the comfort of an elderly and rheumatic admirer, did not suffer the shining hour to pass away unimproved. She possessed a full, sweet voice, of rare compass, and was a thorough mistress of the musical art, accompanying her own or other people's songs with equal taste and skill. Uncle Joseph, in an arm-chair, with a hand on each knee, sat spell-bound by the Syren,--eyes, ears, and mouth wide open, under the influence of her strains. It was but a simple ditty of which she gave him the benefit, yet neither nature nor art were spared to render it as destructive as she could. He had never heard it before; but, as he expressed entire approval of its rhythm, and asked for it again, I feel justified in giving it here. She called it-- "OVER THE WATER." I stand on the brink of the river, The river that runs to the sea; The fears of a maid I forgive her, And bid her come over to me. She knows that her lover is waiting, She's longing his darling to be, And spring is the season of mating, But--she dares not come over to thee! I have jewels and gold without measure, I have mountain and meadow and sea; I have store of possessions and treasure, All wasting and spoiling for thee. Her heart is well worthy the winning, But Love is a gift of the free, And she vowed from the very beginning, She'd never come over to thee. Then lonely I'll wed with my sorrow-- Dead branch on a desolate tree-- My night hath no hope of a morrow, Unless she come over to me. Love takes no denial, and pity Is love in a second degree, So long ere I'd ended my ditty, The maiden came over to me! The two guests left No. 40 together, and parted at the end of the street; the junior betaking himself to his cigar, the senior to his whist. Each carried away with him a vague idea that he had spent an evening in Paradise. Which of the two had been made the greater fool of, it is not my province to decide; but I have some recollection of an old couplet in the West of England to the following effect: "Young man's love soon blazeth and is done, Old man's love burneth to the bone." CHAPTER VI. "TERRARUM DOMINOS." "Near side, man! the near side! Take it up two holes--that'll do. Sit tight behind!"