She gave her speeches all the point in tone and manner of a good actress. Mr. Haveloc took a seat by her side. "Is that your advice, Miss Campbell?" he said, "they should make you stage-manager." "Lord James is stage-manager," she replied, without raising her eyes from the sheet of music she was marking. "Are you going to sing, Miss Campbell?" he asked. "Oh! if I'm properly begged and prayed;" she returned, still making dots on the paper on her knee. "How much begging and praying do you require?" "_Try_," she said, suddenly raising her quaint eyes. Every body laughed, Mr. Haveloc as much as the rest. "Everard!" cried Harriet, making way for him, "see if _you_ possess sufficient oratory to persuade Miss Campbell." "_Do_," said he, putting on his softest look. They all laughed again. Miss Campbell rose, and walked idly to the piano. "No eloquence like the laconic," said Mr. Haveloc to Mrs. Fitzpatrick. "So I perceive," she said smiling, "it was equal to the Spartan--_If_." But Miss Campbell having tried over the embellishments with her right hand, rose from the instrument. The officers surrounded her with various exclamations, she paid no sort of attention to them, and resumed her seat beside Mr. Haveloc. "What have we all done," said he, "that you disappoint us in this manner." "Nothing at all," said she, putting the music in his hand, "but Schubert has done something, he has written this accompaniment in so many flats, that it is beyond me to read, and sing at once." "Then let some one accompany you." "La chose est faisible," said she, "go and canvass for me." "What do you want," asked Lady Raymond. "Only a player," he returned, "will you be so charitable?" "Oh! not at sight, I wish I could. Harriet!" No; Harriet would not volunteer, she had her own private reasons, which she would not reveal. The fact was, that she had made up her mind to forward Margaret's interest with Mr. Haveloc, and to cross Miss Campbell in her endeavours. Lady James would not undertake Schubert, nor would Mrs. Leslie, nor any of the Miss Veseys. "Margaret will, I am sure," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick. Margaret who had been detained in conversation by one of the officers, who had heard she had a good fortune, rose, and proffered her services. The officer, knowing he must undergo a certain amount of trouble if he hoped to get her money, led her to the piano, and arranged the music. Margaret took her place with the pleasing consciousness that Mr. Haveloc was about a yard behind her, listening with eager delight to the singer. It was well worth listening to, never was a clearer, or sweeter voice, and her German was perfect. Even Everard said, "He never had--" which was rather a long sentence for him, and all united in begging for something else. Miss Campbell allowed herself to be persuaded, and selected one of Vestris's ballads. "You will not want me for that, I think," said Margaret, looking up to Miss Campbell.