Conversation was immediately suspended, and about ten minutes spent in preparation: the violin cases were brought in, and the instruments carefully unpacked; then patent folding stands were produced and arranged; a few minutes more were spent looking over the music and selecting a piece; the young lady who was to play the accompaniment was handed her share, which did not count in the performance, although it turned out that she had most to do. She had evidently been rehearsing with them, for she at once sounded "A," and the violinists commenced tuning, by putting their instruments out of tune and then making them right. The pianiste had about a page to play before the violins came in, but the young lady and gentleman managed to fill in the time by stuffing handkerchiefs into their necks, and seeing that the varnish on the back of the violins was all right. It was evidently a handicap, for Mr. Morrison gave Miss Gibson a start of three bars; but any one could see that he had her in hand, for he passed her about the sixth hurdle--so to speak--and waited on. And after a scramble home, Miss Gibson was allowed to win by a neck. Whist was at once started, but the long silence was too much for the ladies. "How d'ye do?" said one, recognising a friend at the next table; "I did not notice you come in." "No, we were rather late. My husband is very busy just now, and we could not get away any sooner; and I----" "It's you to play," said Mr. M'Cranky, who was annoyed at having to play with ladies, and impatient to begin, as he had a good hand. He had managed to say quietly to his opponent during the duet, "Do you care to have a modest sixpence on?" and the gentleman had agreed; and when he added "Shilling rub?" he had got a nod of assent. So he was now eager for the fray. "We're waiting on you, mum," he said to his partner. "Oh, I beg pardon; are diamonds trump?" "No, clubs are trump, and diamonds are led." "Oh yes, I haven't got my hand arranged. That was a very nice duet. Miss Gibson plays remarkably well, and only been about a year at it, I believe. I was advising Mrs. Gibson to send her to Germany. I believe the----" "Your smallest diamond, please." "I beg pardon; trump is led!" "No, clubs are trump. Just put down a small diamond," said M'Cranky, who held the ace and king. The lady seemed to feel she had done her duty when she followed the instructions given, and, without waiting to see the result, turned to her friend at the next table and said, "Did you see Miss Young at church on Sunday? I thought she wasn't looking very well." "Oh, she's always pale, you know," her friend replied. "I don't think there's anything wrong with her." "Ah, I don't think she is very strong. Her mother should----" "We're waiting on you, mum," said M'Cranky, with ill-concealed displeasure. "I took that trick with the king, and led a small trump," and he put an emphasis on "king," which was entirely lost on his partner.