"Hardly ever, Mrs. Winter; and when I do I get so rowed by my partners that I am glad to abandon the attempt altogether." "We generally make up a whist table; the Colonel and Mr. Winter like a rubber." "Do you play, Miss Vernon?" "Yes, with a degree of science seldom equalled; therefore I rarely honour Mrs. Winter's whist table." "We'll have that trio first, Miss Vernon," rejoined Mr. Winter. "Gilpin get the flute ready." During the little bustle of bringing flute and violin into tune with the piano, I approached the performers. "How did you like the hot cakes?" asked Kate. "I think I gave ocular demonstration of my opinion," I replied, laughing. "What are you going to play?" "_Prendi l'anell' ti dono._" "I thought that was a duet?" "So it is; the flute and violin take first and second, the piano is a mere accompaniment; you will be pleased with it." "How droll Winter is! His experiment on the pony was truly original." "Yes, and his habit of pointing his discourse with foreign exclamations; he acquired the habit abroad, and complains he cannot do without expletives to express his feelings, but that English oaths are too blasphemous, while all the people in A---- are firmly convinced that his strange outbursts are far too bad to be translated." "Now then, Miss Vernon," said Mr. Winter, "if you have finished that conference with Captain Egerton--" "_Maestro mio_, I am ready." Winter gave a flourish of his bow and stamped his foot; Miss Vernon played a brilliant prelude, and they began. I sat in a pleasant dreamy state, listening to the music, and indistinctly observing there was something wanting in Mr. Winter's handsome drawing room that Kate Vernon's had; as if neatness was there kept in her proper position of handmaid to the Graces; but here she appeared to have risen up against her mistresses, and driven them out of doors with a duster! I was disturbed from this placid state of mind by the nodding of Miss Araminta Cox's yellow turban most distractingly out of tune; and finding it insupportable I was about to change my position, when the performance came to a conclusion. The whist party now arranged themselves, leaving the piano to Kate, Gilpin, and myself; and after a little desultory conversation Miss Vernon acceded to our request for a song. "The Serenade," I petitioned.