While she was still speaking, the Falconers entered. They and Mrs. Fielding had not met (being residents of different cities) since their return from Europe. They greeted each other with great cordiality, and were, during the first few minutes of their interview, so occupied with what really seemed the pleasure of seeing each other, that Miss Collingwood, the lady on whom they were calling, seemed in a fair way of being forgotten. After having, however, inquired and taken the address of the Falconers, Mrs. Fielding took her leave of the party. After a few minutes’ general conversation, Miss Collingwood said, “I observed you at the opera, last night, Miss Falconer; how were you pleased?” “Very well,” replied the young lady. “It is not a first-rate company, of course—but very fair.” “I am glad to hear you say so,” replied Miss Collingwood, eagerly, “for it struck me as such; but Mrs. Fielding spoke of its being so very inferior, that I supposed I must be mistaken. Indeed, I take it for granted, that hearing such music as she has heard at the opera, in Paris, must make one fastidious.” Miss Falconer smiled as she replied, “I don’t think Mrs. Fielding heard music enough at the Italian Opera, in Paris, to spoil her for any she may hear in this country.” “Why,” returned Miss Collingwood, with the sudden expression of one who has caught a new light, “she tells me she has heard Lablache, Tamburini, Persiani, &c.” “Of course,” replied Miss Falconer. “Everybody hears them once or twice. But what is it to hear an opera once?” “But why only once or twice?” inquired Miss Collingwood. “It’s so expensive,” replied Miss Falconer. “I forget what our box cost us—but something enormous. I know papa said it was one of our principal expenses in Paris. And the Fieldings, you know, are in very moderate circumstances. I doubt whether Mrs. Fielding was ever a second time at the Grand Opera. The minor French theatres are cheap enough; but to hear these great singers repeatedly, really costs a young fortune. Indeed, Mrs. Fielding,” she continued, laughing, “may go and hear this company with profit, if not pleasure; for she knows nothing of music. It was the _spectacle_, I do believe, she enjoyed, more than the music, when she was there.” “She seems to have enjoyed her visit to Europe excessively,” returned Miss Collingwood. “Yes, so she says,” replied the other; “and I am surprised at it, too.” “Indeed! Why so?” “Oh, they traveled with no advantages; and I should not think there was much pleasure in seeing merely the outside of places.” “But I understood they had peculiar advantages,” persisted Miss Collingwood; “particularly with regard to society. Their cousin, Sir Frederick T., was very kind to them.” “I know—they are forever talking of Sir Frederick T. But, after all, who is Sir Frederick T.? A mere country baronet! The idea of his introducing American cousins, is amusing!” Miss Collingwood laughed.