t," said Mr. Van Horn,
nodding to Mr. Uxbridge, and bidding William drive on. He returned the
next day, and we settled into the routine of hotel life. A few mornings
after, she sent me to a matinee, which was given by some of the Opera
people, who were in Newport strengthening the larynx with applications
of brine. When the concert was half over, and the audience were making
the usual hum and stir, I saw Mr. Uxbridge against a pillar, with his
hands incased in pearl-colored gloves, and holding a shiny hat. He
turned half away when he caught my eye, and then darted toward me.

"You have not been much more interested in the music than you are in the
lawsuit," he said, seating himself beside me.

"The _tutoyer_ of the Italian voice is agreeable, however."

"It makes one dreamy."

"A child."

"Yes, a child; not a man nor a woman."

"I teach music. I can not dream over 'one, two, three.'"

"_You_--a music teacher!"

"For six years."

I was aware that he looked at me from head to foot, and I picked at the
lace on my invariable black silk; but what did it matter whether I owned
that I was a genteel pauper, representing my aunt's position for two
months, or not?

"Where?"

"In Waterbury."

"Waterbury differs from Newport."

"I suppose so."

"You suppose!"

A young gentleman sauntered by us, and Mr. Uxbridge called to him to
look up the Misses Uxbridge, his nieces, on the other side of the hall.

"Paterfamilias Uxbridge has left his brood in my charge," he said. "I
try to do my duty," and he held out a twisted pearl-colored glove, which
he had pulled off while talking. What white nervous fingers he had! I
thought they might pinch like steel.

"You suppose," he repeated.

"I do not look at Newport."

"Have you observed Waterbury?"

"I observe what is in my sphere."

"Oh!"

He was silent then. The second part of the concert began; but I could
not compose myself to appreciation. Either the music or I grew chaotic.
So many tumultuous sounds I heard--of hope, doubt, inquiry, melancholy,
and desire; or did I feel the emotions which these words express? Or was
there magnetism stealing into me from the quiet man beside me? He left
me with a bow before the concert was over, and I saw him making his way
out of the hall when it was finished.

I had been sent in the carriage, of course; but several carriages were
in advance of it before the walk, and I waited there for William to
drive up. When he did so,