Helen was hastening out of the room, Cecilia detained her. “Do not go, my dear, for that would look as if you were guilty, and you know you are innocent. At the first sound of your harp Beauclerc will return--only command yourself for one hour or two.” “Yes, it will only be for an hour or two,” said Helen, brightening with hope. “You will tell the general to-night Do you think Granville will come back? Where is the harp key?--I dropped it--here it is.” She began to tune the harp. Crack went one string--then another. “That is lucky,” said Lady Cecilia, “it will give you something to do, my love, if the people come in.” The aide-de-camp entered. “I thought I heard harp-strings going,” said he. “Several!--yes,” said Lady Cecilia, standing full in his way. “Inauspicious sounds for us! had omens for my embassy.--Mrs. Holdernesse sent me.” “I know,” said Lady Cecilia, “and you will have the goodness to tell her that Miss Stanley’s harp is unstrung.” “Can I be of any use, Miss Stanley?” said he, moving towards the harp. “No, no,” cried Lady Cecilia, “you are in my service,--attend to me.” “Dear me, Lady Cecilia! I did not hear what you said.” “That is what I complain of--hear me now.” “I am all attention, I am sure. What are your commands?” She gave him as many as his head could hold. A long message to Mrs. Holdernesse, and to Miss Holdernesse and Miss Anna about their music-books, which had been left in the carriage, and were to be sent for, and duets to be played, and glees, for the major and Lady Anne Ruthven. “Good Heavens! I cannot remember any more,” cried the aide-de-camp. “Then go off, and say and do all that before you come back again,” said Lady Cecilia. “What amazing presence of mind you have!” said Helen. “How can you say so much, and think of every thing!” The aide-de-camp performed all her behests to admiration, and was rewarded by promotion to the high office of turner-over general of the leaves of the music books, an office requiring, as her ladyship remarked to Miss Holdernesse, prompt eye and ear, and all his distinguished gallantry. By such compliments she fixed him to the piano-forte, while his curiosity and all his feelings, being subordinate to his vanity, were prevented from straying to Miss Stanley and her harp-stringing, a work still doing--still to do.