hing of Grieg's Mr. Wilbraham is going to sing "Wie bist du,
meine Koniginn"--Brahms, you know. But you don't really care for music.'

'What an astounding accusation!'

'You don't really care for it. I've known that since we were at
Leipzig.'

'I have never pretended to appreciate music as you do. That needs
education, and something more. Some music wearies me, there's no
denying it.'

'You like the Melody in F?'

'Yes, I do.'

Alma laughed, with superiority, but not ill-naturedly.

'And I think it detestable--but of course that doesn't matter. When I
talk about books you think me a nincompoop.--That word used to amuse me
so when I was a child. I remember laughing wildly whenever I saw or
heard it. It _is_ a funny word, isn't it?'

'The last I should apply to you,' said Rolfe in an absent undertone, as
he caught a glimpse of the white teeth between her laughing lips.

They entered the supper-room, where as yet only a few people were
refreshing themselves. Provisions for a regiment spread before the
gaze; delicacies innumerable invited the palate: this house was famed
for its hospitable abundance. Alma, having asked her companion to get
her some lemonade, talked awhile with two ladies who had begun to eat
and drink in a serious spirit; waiting for her, Rolfe swallowed two
glasses of wine to counteract a certain dullness and literalness which
were wont to possess him in such company.

'I won't sit down,' she said. 'No, thanks, nothing to eat. I wonder
where Papa is? Now, _he_ enjoys music, though he is no musician. I
think Papa a wonderful man. For years he has never had more than six
hours sleep; and the work he does! He _can't_ take a holiday; idleness
makes him ill. We were down in Hampshire in July with some relatives of
Mamma's--the quietest, sleepiest village--and Papa tried to spend a few
days with us, but he had to take to flight; he would have perished of
ennui.'

'Life at high pressure,' remarked Rolfe, as the least offensive comment
he could make.

'Yes; and isn't it better than life at low?' exclaimed the girl, with
animation. 'Most people go through existence without once exerting all
the powers that are in them. I should hate to die with the thought that
I hadn't really lived myself _out_. A year ago Papa took me into the
City to see the offices of _Stock and Share_, just after the paper
started. It didn't interest me very much; but I pretended it did,
because Papa always takes an interest in