The Grey Lady

a sudden friend

times given to musical persons in recompense for voicelessness. The Count spoke like one who could sing, but his throat was delicate, and so the world lost a great singer.

arrington to accompany his instrument on the piano. Her music was of the accompanying order. It was heartless and correct. Some of us, b

gentlemen had joined the ladies. In the larger drawing-room Luke was fortunate enough to secure a sea

rrangement was accomplished--it se

and began playing the prelude o

going to Spain?" she asked somewhat t

ow. There was a singular gleam in his eye. The gleam that one sees in the eye of

id the grey lady slowly, "in

looking past her iron-grey head to the music. She glanced back over her shoulder into his face with the cruel cat-like love of torture that some people posse

the voice of the instrument. There are a few musicians who can give to a violin the power of speech. They can make the instrument tell some story--not a cheery tale, but rather like the story that dogs tell u

swaying form; for such are the signs of a hopeless effort, hung out b

to return at his own time. She listened to the music herself, but it did not seem to touch her. For sound asc

in a voice that did not reach the other room. "No

ovement made it impossible for her to continue the conversation without rai

must ask Agatha to accompany you. She play

ng into the other room. Luke and Agatha

versationally. "Perhaps you have failed to n

smile, which somehow conveyed a coloss

king at him with a mocking glance. "In fact, I am rather in need

face with the small gleam in their

he said. "But, so far as I recolle

ssi

e was a distinct promise that this should n

ssi

eneath his breath, and waited for her to speak agai

atha," she continued, raising her voice, "come and play th

a little più lento!

t to talk to Luk

gham-Baker, as she seated herself on a music-stool with a g

ired the Count, with

ccompaniments. I expect

a novelty," he answered, s

melody. It was a better performance than the last. Agatha's playing was much less correct, but as she went on she forgot herself, and she put something into the accom

her grey silk dress, was talking with her usual incisiveness, and Luke was list

et on splendi

d to her conver

ooked throu

ws!" said Agatha, tapping the iv

es

ently to b

icker beneath the Cou

e answered, with a

he ivory notes with her middle finger

f you doubted t

I always doubt a wo

e been easier to drift away into the conversational channel of v

preference?" she said, fa

or powers of discrimination. Mrs. Harrington does no

ed Agatha, wit

she went on after a little pause, with baffling

m interested in them--mer

ing as if she was only half thinking of what she was saying--"I am afraid that Mrs. Harrington is the sort of

licker of the Count

e said. "To

. "That is not so much the question. It is the

De Lloseta, with a l

suspected her of listening. She therefore raised her voice at intervals, knowing the exquisite torture of unsatisfied curiosity, and Mrs. In

stion for some time--inviting his confidence, seeking the extent of her own power. A woman is

sciously disappointing her

. There was not the faintest possibil

getting on in

than

rey eyes rested on

he said, "with my small influ

without anger, serene in

crush this man's pride? For his six years' silence had never ceased to gall her. What if she

se to argue that a nature such as Luke's would never ask anything for itself--that it is precisely

h a little frown of concentration. The wonderful music close to her ear was busy arousing that small possibility. Agatha did n

ngton's lips. The dream was assuming more tangible proportions. Mrs. Harrington began to see her way; already her inordinate love of p

in London?" she asked,

a fort

ith me a few weeks longer. It is dull for poor Agatha with only two old women i

very much,"

will

like nothi

uite knowing the stake. Some held to certain rules, while others made the rules as they went along--as children d

of the house together. They walked side by side

De Lloseta at length. "I am go

t to my rooms. I have not had m

down to have my half-hour ove

u read

f his head. Before stepping into it he

is never wise to accept favours from a woman; she wil

drove