“Don’t think much of her,” said the Manager, as they came out. The two were going back again at once to town, but Rollo’s partner had supposed that at least they would first pay a visit to the Deanery. He was a man who counted duchesses on his roll of acquaintances, but he liked to add a Lady Caroline whenever the opportunity occurred, and deans, too, had their charm. He was offended when he saw that Rollo had no such intention, and at once divined that he was not considered a proper person to be introduced to the heads of such a community. This increased his determination not to yield to his partner in this fancy of his, which, indeed, he had always considered presumptuous, finding voices being his own share of the work--a thing much too important to be trusted to an amateur. “The boy has a sweet little pipe of his own; but as for your _prima donna_, Ridsdale, if you think that sort of thing would pay with us---- No, no! my good fellow; she’s a deuced handsome girl, and I wish you joy; I don’t wonder that she should have turned your head; but for our new house, not if I know it, my boy. A very nice voice for an amateur, but that sort of thing does not do with the public.” “You scarcely heard her at all; and the few notes she did sing were so mixed up with those scrubby little boys----” “Oh! I heard her, and I don’t care to hear her again--unless it were in a drawing-room. Why, there’s Rossinetti,” said the _impresario_; “he’ll tell you just the same as I do. Do you know what we’re down here for, Rossinetti, eh? Deluded by Ridsdale to come and hear some miraculous voice; and it turns out to be only a charming young lady who has bewitched him, as happens to the best of us. Pretty voice for a drawing-room, nice amateur quality; but for the profession---- I tell him you must know that as well as I.” “Come into my place and rest a little; there is no train just yet,” said the Signor. He had left Purcell to play the voluntary, and led the strangers through the nave, which was still crowded with people listening to the great strains of the organ. “Come out this way” he said; “I don’t want to be seen. Purcell plays quite as well as I do; but if they see me they will stream off, and hurt his feelings. Poor boy! he has had enough to vex him already.”