"I don't know a greater bore," said Mr. Humphries, "but if you will do what I tell you, Miss Conway--now don't laugh, I will undertake to cure you." "Thank you, I will be sure to apply to you, when I have any occasion for your skill," said Harriet, glancing at her aunt, who being too deaf to follow the progress of conversation, trusted to the bright eyes of her niece for intelligence of the moment at which it was desirable to make the move. Mrs. Singleton rose, and the ladies flocked into the drawing-room. Harriet, not caring to remain the whole evening in her habit, went upstairs to change her costume, while Margaret placed herself beside Mrs. Singleton, and helped her in some of the work she had in hand. She possessed the art of making herself heard by means of a very low and clear intonation; and Mrs. Singleton enjoyed with her a pleasure she had almost surrendered in general; the pleasure of maintaining an unbroken conversation. "I'll warrant, now," said Harriet, when she returned, "I'll warrant, my good aunt is becoming fonder of that little staid piece of propriety than of me. How say you, Aunt Singleton?" "Why, niece Harriet," said the old lady, looking up quaintly from her canvass, "if you do not take great care, and behave very well, there is no saying what may happen." "I defy you, aunt!" said Harriet, suddenly kissing her. "Come here, ma mie," she added, drawing Margaret aside; "were you flirting with George at dinner?" "No, indeed, Harriet," returned Margaret, smiling; "ever since I have known you, he has found it very convenient to be civil when you are present; but I should be silly, indeed, if I could not read through that." "Ha, ha!" said Harriet. "You are a surprising little creature; for he is not a person to despise. I mean in point of manner and appearance." "I wish you made that opinion of yours a little more evident," said Margaret, archly. "Why, you bold little creature," returned Harriet; "advising me to tell a gentleman I admire him. What do you say to that, Aunt Singleton." "Oh, fie! Niece Harriet," said Mrs. Singleton, shaking her head. "No, but you don't understand, Aunt Singleton: this is Margaret's plan, not mine." "Oh fie! Niece Harriet," repeated Mrs. Singleton. "It is not my plan, is it, Margaret?" said Harriet, laughing. "By the way, do I talk hoarsely?" "I think you do, a little." "Then my good uncle is right, and I am going to have a cold: my throat is very uncomfortable. I will tell you what you must do to-night--take my place at the piano with Mr. Humphries. You can sing ten times better than I can." "But I do so dislike singing in company. People are always bored by good music." "People, my love, are bored if you sing; but they are enraged if you don't. Choose the least evil." "Mr. Humphries, Miss Capel will take the first of that fine duet in Norma, 'Qual cor tradisti:' you will then hear the purest mezzo soprano in England."