was a larger crowd than usual outside Queen's Hall that evening,
for the concert was really an important one for which some of the
greatest singers had been engaged. In addition to Patti, Santley,
Edward Lloyd, and other famous professionals, some distinguished
amateurs were to perform, and royalty, as represented by the
ever-popular and amiable prince, had promised to patronise the affair.

"Quite a swell show, ain't it?" said Joseph, as he pushed his way into
the crowd and looked over his shoulder at the long line of carriages
setting down their occupants. "I'm glad you consented to come; it would
have been a pity if you'd missed it."

"I hope we shall be able to see the prince from our seats!" said
Isabel, whose eyes were more widely open than usual, and her mouth half
agape with excitement. "I'm always stuck in some corner where I can't
see them, when the royal family's present."

They succeeded in making their way into the hall, and after Joseph had
held a dispute with the man who had shown them into their place, and
who had muddled the tickets and their numbers, they settled down, and
Ida looked round.

Though their seats were in the third row, she could see nearly the
whole of the large hall, and she found the sight a novel and impressive
one. Her interest increased as the admirable band played the first
number with the precision and feeling for which the orchestra at the
Queen's Hall is famous. In the interval between the selection and the
song which was to follow, Joseph pointed out some of the celebrities
who were present, and whom he recognised by their portraits in the
illustrated papers.

"Regular swell mob, isn't it?" he said, exultingly; "there isn't a seat
in the house, excepting those three in the stalls, and I suppose
they'll be filled up presently by some swells or other; they always
come late. Aren't you glad you've come?" he added, with a languishing
glance.

Amidst a storm of welcome, Patti came forward to sing, and Ida,
listening with rapture, almost forgot her sorrow as she passed under
the spell of the magic voice which has swayed so many thousands of
hearts. During the cries of encore, and unnoticed by Ida, three
persons, a lady and two gentlemen, entered the stalls, and with a good
deal of obsequiousness, were shown by the officials into the three
vacant seats.

One great singer followed rapidly after another, and Ida, with slightly
flushed face and eyes that were dim with unshed tea