And perhaps the Misses Howard will have
no objection to sing?'
'It is difficult to find a suitable romance,' said Miss Dacre. 'All our
modern English ones are too full of fine poetry. We tried once an old
ballad, but it was too long. Last Christmas we got up a good many, and
Arundel, Isabella, and myself used to scribble some nonsense for the
occasion. But I am afraid they are all either burnt or taken away. I
will look in the music-case.'
She went to the music-case with the Duke and Mrs. Dallington.
'No,' she continued; 'not one, not a single one. But what are these?'
She looked at some lines written in pencil in a music-book. 'Oh! here is
something; too slight, but it will do. You see,' she continued, reading
it to the Duke, 'by the introduction of the same line in every verse,
describing the same action, a back-scene is, as it were, created, and
the story, if you can call it such, proceeds in front. Really, I think,
we might make something of this.'
Mr. Dacre and some others were at whist. The two Baronets were together,
talking over the morning's sport. Ecarte covered a flirtation between
Lord Mildmay and Lady St.
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