"Yes, my lady, that was what I said," said Elise, who was almost as much astonished as her mistress. "The impertinent little monkey! Wherever did she learn to play like that? Did you tell her to go away, Elise?" angrily. "No, my lady. I only went and peeped in at the door. When I saw who it was, I came quietly away." "Help me out of bed, Elise," cried her mistress, imperiously. "Oh, my lady, and bring back all the pain in your shoulder again!" Elise cried, aghast. "Do as I bid you, girl," sharply. The maid took the thin, bony little figure into her strong young arms, and lifted it out upon the floor. "Now bring my dressing-gown, my slippers, and my wig. Put them on me--quickly," commanded my lady. Elise knew that there was no use in expostulating. She quietly did as she was told. She powdered the yellow face, adjusted the curly wig and youthful cap, put on the velvet slippers and the gorgeous brocaded dressing-gown that made Lady Lancaster look like the Queen of Sheba in all her glory. "Now give me your arm," she said, turning toward the door. "But, my lady, where are you going?" cried Elise. "To the drawing-room," curtly. "You'll catch your death of cold," whimpered the maid. "What is that to you?" flashed the dowager, sharply. "Come along." And clinging to the arm of Elise, and groaning at every step with the reawakened pain in her shoulder, Lady Lancaster took up her march to the drawing-room, her flowered gown trailing majestically behind her, going forth as one goes to conquer, for she was intent on the instant and utter annihilation, metaphorically speaking, of the daring plebeian child who had so coolly transgressed her commands. Leonora had never got beyond the picture-gallery and the drawing-room. The great, black, ebony piano had fascinated her. She could not tear herself away. "Oh, Aunt West, my fingers ache to touch the keys!" "Can you play, dear?" asked her aunt, with one of her kind, indulgent smiles. "Only let me show you," said the girl. "There is no one to hear, is there, aunt?" "No, there is no one," said Mrs. West, reflectively. "The maids are all in the other wing. This part of the house is empty. I dare say it will be no harm for you to amuse yourself a little while." She threw back the magnificent embroidered cover, and raised the lid herself. Leonora's eyes beamed under their long lashes at sight of the gleaming pearl keys. "Oh!" she said, under her breath, and sat down. She ran her fingers lightly along the keys. A shower of melody seemed to fall from them. The silver-sweet notes fell soft and swift as rain-drops from the flying fingers, and full of subtle harmony and delicious sound. She played on and on, and when the exquisite aria came to a close Mrs. West gazed at her in amazement. "Oh, my dear, what music!" she cried. "I do not believe that any of the ladies who come here can play as well as that." "Can not Lady Adela?"