person specially abhorred by the Prussian Junker. Now that the
music-room had two such efficient performers as Bernhard and Miss
Leigh, Shafto and others abandoned the bridge tables and enjoyed a rare
treat. Miss Leigh presided at the piano and appeared to have complete
command of the instrument; she could read anything at sight, no matter
how it bristled with sharps and accidentals; her repertoire ranged from
Beethoven, Bach, Grieg, Chopin, to the latest ragtime, and her playing
had a crisp ringing touch that was delightful.

Hoskins, who was endowed with a good baritone, sang quaint Burmese
songs with gratifying effect. There was something weird and yet
musical in the solemn and majestic "Toung Soboo Byne," or "Yama Kyo,"
from a native opera, and the Royal boat song as sung by the King's
boatmen when rowing His Majesty on State occasions.

Mrs. Maitland's contribution was a beautifully trained light soprano,
but the Caruso of the company was Herr Otto Bernhard; amazing that a
man of his sensual nature and proclivities should be gifted with a
voice fit to swell heaven's choir. He sang Wagner, Gounod, Schubert
with absolute impartiality, as well as numbers of melting German
_lieder_ and touching English ballads. He brought smarting tears to
the eyes of comfortable matrons, and swept their thoughts back to
poignant moments of long ago--to youth and first love, to moonlight
nights, entrancing meetings and heart-rending farewells! As for the
younger and less emotional generation, even they were moved out of
their everyday composure and hung upon the singer's words with
breathless appreciation.

There was a number of young people on board the _Blankshire_, and since
the good old days of Tadpool Shafto had never enjoyed himself so