“Well! she ought to be able to sing with that mouth of hers,” remarked Miss Leyton almost bitterly, as she walked into the corridor. She was unwilling to accord Harriet Brandt the possession of a single good attribute. As the ladies traversed the corridor, they perceived that others had been attracted by the singing as well as themselves, and most of the bedroom doors were open. Mrs. Montague caught Margaret by the sleeve as she passed. “O! Mrs. Pullen, what a heavenly voice! Whose is it? Fred is just mad to know!” “It’s only that girl Brandt!” replied Elinor roughly, as she tried to escape further questioning. “Miss Brandt! what, the little West Indian! Mrs. Pullen, is Miss Leyton jesting?” “No, indeed, Mrs. Montague! Mademoiselle Brimont was our informant,” said Margaret. But at that moment their attention was diverted by the appearance of Harriet Brandt herself. She looked brilliant. In one hand she carried her mandoline, a lovely little instrument, of sandal-wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl,--her face was flushed with the exertion she had gone through, and her abundant hair was somewhat in disorder. Mrs. Montague pounced on her at once. “O! Miss Brandt! you are a sly puss! We have all been delighted--enchanted! What do you mean by hiding your light under a bushel in this way? Do come in here for a minute and sing us another song! Major Montague is in ecstasies over your voice!” “I can’t stop, I can’t indeed!” replied Miss Brandt, evidently pleased with the effect she had produced, “because I am on my way down to dear Madame Gobelli. I promised to sing for her this afternoon. I was only trying my voice to see if it was fit for anything!” She smiled at Mrs. Pullen as she spoke and added, “I hope I have not disturbed the darling baby! I thought she would be out this lovely afternoon!” “O! no! you did not disturb her. We have all been much pleased, and surprised to think that you have never told us that you could sing!” “How could I tell that anyone would care about it?” replied Harriet, indifferently, with a shrug of her shoulders. “But the Baron is very musical! He has a charming tenor voice. I have promised to accompany him! I mustn’t delay any longer! Good afternoon!” And she flew down the stairs with her mandoline. “It is all the dear Baroness and the dear Baron now, you perceive,” remarked Elinor to Mrs. Pullen, as they walked together to the railway-station, “you and the baby are at a discount. Miss Brandt is the sort of young lady, I fancy, who will follow her own interests wherever they may lead her!” “You should be the last to complain of her for that, Elinor, since you have tried to get rid of her at any cost,” replied her friend. Captain Ralph Pullen arrived punctually by the train which he had appointed, and greeted his sister-in-law and _fiancée_ with marked cordiality.