Mabel had objected to this at first, knowing the delight her cousin took in playing for her father. But Isabel protested, and it was indeed the fact that Mabel could play with more feeling and expression, as well as with more skill than herself, and, with rare self-denial, she preferred that her father should receive all the pleasure possible, even though that pleasure was ministered by another instead of herself. And so Mr. Randolph could speak with some authority about Mabel's skill as a musician. Of course she was delighted to be so praised; and it rather added to her enjoyment to see that her cousin Julia looked annoyed. "I don't think we shall need to trouble Mabel," said that young lady. "A musical party is not an examination of girls strumming." "I tell you, Mabel does not strum," said Mr. Randolph with some warmth, for he began to see that his niece was being slighted by his wife and elder daughter. Isabel gave a little nod of approval. She had grown very fond of her cousin, and knew that it would gratify her to take part in this musical display, and was determined that she should, if possible. "You do not know how beautifully she plays, mamma," she said eagerly. "You must let her take part in your party." "Yes, yes, my dear; I insist upon that," said Mr. Randolph, without giving his wife time to reply. And to end the discussion and make this final, he rose from the breakfast-table immediately afterwards and went out. Mabel was delighted. She had been kept in the background long enough she thought, and it was only fair that her uncle should interfere. As soon as her music-master arrived, she told him the news, asking him to help her in the selection of a piece that would be suitable for such an occasion that she might begin practising at once. Of course that gentleman was only too willing to help such a promising pupil to display her talent. And knowing something of the company who would assemble, he was not long in fixing upon a piece that he knew Mabel could execute, and would be certain to attract the attention of the company. And Mabel set to work upon it at once. For the next few days every spare moment was given to the study of her music, but a bitter disappointment awaited her. When the music-master came the following week, her aunt met him at the school-room door with a piece of music in her hand. "Miss Mabel is to take part in a musical evening, and I wish her to practise this for the occasion," she said when the usual greetings had been exchanged. "But—but Miss Mabel has already begun to practise a piece," said the gentleman, running his eye over the sheet of music. "That does not matter in the least. I desire that she shall play this. My elder daughter thinks it most suitable for the occasion." And Mrs. Randolph, with a polite good-morning, went back to the drawing-room, leaving the discomfited schoolmaster in no enviable frame of mind.