provincial accent!" (Cuthbert's English, by the way, was not regarded
by his intimates as the perfect thing!) "He doesn't speak like a
Scotch Johnny at all! You never hear an 'Aye, aye' or 'd'ye ken?'--not
a broad vowel even! Why, he might have lived all his life this side
the border, to judge by his tongue, confound him!"

There could be no doubt of Cuthbert's attachment to Violet. No
remonstrances of his mother--and they were but mild, in spite of her
objection to Violet, since she recognized the futility of opposing her
son's determined will--had the slightest effect with him. He felt
confident in the final acquiescence of both parents in whatever he
might choose to do with regard to marriage. Everything, as he saw,
rested with Violet, and he was shrewd enough to appreciate the
advantages--not so much personal as social--involved in her ultimate
decision.

An amateur operatic company had been started in the town, and all the
musical talent among the younger generation had been stirred up to take
part in what was regarded as a pleasant occupation for winter evenings
with the pleasurable anticipation of the excitement of a public
performance as the outcome of practices. Our human triangle formed
part of the company. All three were musical, and two of them more than
usually talented both in singing and acting--Violet and Bernard. The
former especially--endowed with a beautiful soprano voice, which had
been well cultivated, added to what is styled by the initiated "a good
stage presence"--was much in request on all such occasions. She had
filled more than one title-role in popular operas presented by their
little company, and no one would dream of casting her for any other
than the leading part. Bernard had a good tenor voice, and Cuthbert a
very fair bass.