landmark to Myra. But when it came to the fugue-like intricacies in
the theme of "They all ran after the farmer's wife," Lady Ingleby
was lost without the words to cling to, and gave up the Tonic sol-fa
system in despair.

So the name of the greatest teacher of singing of this age did not
convey much to Myra's mind. But Garth Dalmain sat up.

"I say! No wonder you take it coolly. Why, Velma herself was a pupil
of the great madame."

"That is how it happens that I know her rather well," said Jane. "I
am here to-day because I was to have played her accompaniment."

"I see," said Garth. "And now you have to do both. 'Land's sake!' as
Mrs. Parker Bangs says when you explain who's who at a Marlborough
House garden party. But you prefer playing other people's
accompaniments, to singing yourself, don't you?"

Jane's slow smile dawned again.

"I prefer singing," she said, "but accompanying is more useful."

"Of course it is," said Garth. "Heaps of people can sing a little,
but very few can accompany properly." "Jane," said Myra, her grey
eyes looking out lazily from under their long black lashes, "if you
have had singing lessons, and know some songs, why hasn't the
duchess turned you on to sing to us before this?"

"For a sad reason," Jane replied. "You know her only son died eight