ly he disliked Gregory's, a rival and
substantial house, which, like his own, dealt largely in paddy--and
this casual, outspoken, clear-eyed youngster was just the type of
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
thoroughly. It was the first time since he had arrived at man's estate
that he had been associated with girls of his own class. There were no
fewer than thirty on board--of these, eleven were brides elect--but the
prettiest of all, and to him the most attractive, was Miss Leigh. He
looked for her the first thing when he stepped on deck in the mornings,
and in the evenings watched her departure with wistful regret.
Meanwhile, between morning and evening he contrived to see as much of
the young lady as possible--though