ice artistic
truth to expediency, and that he stole hours from sleep that he might
continue to carry on his investigations still. Here again I was able to
be of some service, for I introduced Mr. Fleisch as a competent and
conscientious musical instructor to a number of my friends, who seemed
to find him all that I described. He played several of his pieces at my
house with much _eclat_, even including one of those which illustrated
Moderation. But I noticed as he became more popular and prosperous that
he seemed content to adhere to the conventional methods, and to avoid
allusion to his former hobbies.

Though I sent cordial invitations to Mr. Spence to lecture at my
receptions, he invariably declined. I sometimes fancied that it might be
because I did not extend them to Miss Kingsley also. I judged from what
I saw in the newspapers, as well as from what Mr. Fleisch told me, that
the number of his followers was diminishing in spite of his most earnest
efforts, and that Miss Kingsley was now his only really devoted
supporter. The knowledge of this counteracted my scruples against her so
far that I sent an invitation to them both, with the assurance that Mr.
Spence's lecture should be the feature of the occasion. They accepted,
not altogether to my surprise, and I did my best to select an
appreciative audience. Mr. Spence looked worn and dispirited I thought,
but as he warmed to his theme the light in his eyes seemed as vivid as
ever. The sweetness of his tones was however unfortunately impaired by a
heavy cold, and though I, being familiar with the lecture,--"Tension
and Torpor of the Nerves,"--felt some of my old enthusiasm, it was soon
evident to me that the majority of his listeners were bored. The
appearance of Miss Kingsley likewise created an impression that reacted
on the philosopher. She was very much overdressed, and made a marked
effort to carry the assembly by storm. She played the double role of a
would-be arch coquette and hero-worshipper, and while chanting the
talent of the lecturer, omitted no effort to secure admiration on her
own account. There are always a few men who are amused for the moment by
this sort of thing, but I could see the eye-glasses of the censors
raised wonderingly, and the turned shoulders grow colder, as the evening
advanced. I was sorry for them both, even for her; and not many days
after, I wrote Mr. Spence a long letter, in which I referred to the
great influence in the way of dis