fire go out, while all the windows and doors were open to let the
cool night wind blow in. Vandeloup sat on the verandah with McIntosh
smoking cigarettes and listening to Madame, who was playing
Mendelssohn's 'In a Gondola', that dreamy melody full of the swing
and rhythmic movement of the waves. Then to please old Archie she
played 'Auld Lang Syne'--that tender caressing air which is one of
the most pathetic and heart-stirring melodies in the world. Archie
leaned forward with bowed head as the sad melody floated on the air,
and his thoughts went back to the heather-clad Scottish hills. And
what was this Madame was now playing, with its piercing sorrow and
sad refrain? Surely 'Farewell to Lochaber', that bitter lament of
the exile leaving bonny Scotland far behind. Vandeloup, who was not
attending to the music, but thinking of Kitty, saw two big tears
steal down McIntosh's severe face, and marvelled at such a sign of
weakness.

'Sentiment from him?' he muttered, in a cynical tone; 'why, I should
have as soon expected blood from a stone.'

Suddenly the sad air ceased, and after a few chords, Kitty commenced
to sing to Madame's accompaniment. Gaston arose to his feet, and
leaned up against the door, for she was singing Gounod's charming
valse from 'Mirella', the bird-like melody of which suited her high
clear voice to perfection. Vandeloup was rather astonished at
hearing this innocent little maiden execute the difficult valse with
such ease, and her shake was as rapid and true as if she had been
trained in the best schools of Europe. He did not know that Kitty
had naturally a very flexible voice, and that Madame had trained her
for nearly a year. When the song was ended Gaston entered the room
to express his thanks and astonishment, both of which Kitty received