Volume Iii Part 7 (1/2)
”I wish you made that opinion of yours a little more evident,” said Margaret, archly.
”Why, you bold little creature,” returned Harriet; ”advising me to tell a gentleman I admire him. What do you say to that, Aunt Singleton.”
”Oh, fie! Niece Harriet,” said Mrs. Singleton, shaking her head.
”No, but you don't understand, Aunt Singleton: this is Margaret's plan, not mine.”
”Oh fie! Niece Harriet,” repeated Mrs. Singleton.
”It is not my plan, is it, Margaret?” said Harriet, laughing. ”By the way, do I talk hoa.r.s.ely?”
”I think you do, a little.”
”Then my good uncle is right, and I am going to have a cold: my throat is very uncomfortable. I will tell you what you must do to-night--take my place at the piano with Mr. Humphries. You can sing ten times better than I can.”
”But I do so dislike singing in company. People are always bored by good music.”
”People, my love, are bored if you sing; but they are enraged if you don't. Choose the least evil.”
”Mr. Humphries, Miss Capel will take the first of that fine duet in Norma, 'Qual cor tradisti:' you will then hear the purest mezzo soprano in England.”
Mr. Humphries gave a wide smile, and offered his hand to lead Margaret to the piano. Harriet drew a low, easy chair, close to the instrument, wrapped a scarf round her throat, and gave her attention to the singing.
”How greatly you have delighted us all,” said Mr. Gage to Margaret, when she left the piano; ”you have never before allowed us to know that you were a very beautiful singer.”
”Won't you sing something now, Miss Conway?” asked Mr. Humphries.
”I cannot--I have a sore throat coming. You must sing for me,” said Harriet.
”Dear me, I am very sorry,” said Mr. Humphries, ”then I am afraid you won't be able to hunt on Thursday.”
”Not a chance of it,” replied Harriet. ”Evan, are those new books ever coming down from London?”
”I am sorry I cannot inform you; but I am not a prophet even in the small Highland way of second sight. Only that as all the ladies are wis.h.i.+ng to get the new novels first, one may presume that some among them are doomed to be disappointed.”
”I shall send you up to town for Coningsby,” said Harriet.
”There is nothing at all unreasonable in that,” replied her brother calmly. ”But, perhaps, it would be cheaper for me, and quite as rapid for you, if you were to order it of the T---- bookseller.”
”I have a great many books at home, Miss Conway, if you want anything to read,” said Mr. Humphries.
”I am much obliged; you are all kindness,” returned Harriet very gravely, ”I dare say _you_ read a great deal.”
”No, not so much as you would think,” said Mr. Humphries, all unconscious of irony; ”what with hunting, and shooting, and angling--I am very fond of angling--the whole year pa.s.ses away. But my mother is always reading.”
”Said mother,” said Harriet, pulling Margaret close to her, and wheeling her chair a little out of the circle, ”said mother has a dower-house to which to retire whenever the seal marries; so don't let the vision of a cross old woman always reading 'Nelson's Fasts and Festivals' deter you; if you have a mind.”
”Oh, Harriet! you should not make me laugh before all the people.”