'What? Another dance?' said Nelly laughing. 'She is never going to dance again, she says!'
'Wait and see,' and Kenneth's tone was a little scornful; 'but it was the violin I was alluding to.'
Then General Forsyth looked up.
'I hope you have thought better about going to Lady Walker's, Hilda. I hear you were nothing loth to turn this room into chaos last night in order to enjoy a dance, so I conclude you have overcome your foolish scruples about it.'
'I am sorry, General Forsyth,' I said, trying to speak bravely, 'but I told Mrs. Forsyth this morning that I cannot go.'
'You have your father's obstinacy, I see;' and throwing down his paper angrily, General Forsyth got up and left the room.
'Never saw the general lose his temper before,' murmured Mr. Stroud to Constance; and she replied, in tones loud enough for me to hear, 'She is a provoking little thing; I believe it is nothing but cant with her. I hate those kind of people.'
Captain Gates was sitting close to me, and his eyes met mine as we caught the sneering words. He did not say anything, but got up from his seat and fetched my violin, which he put into my hands saying,—
'Give us another treat, for you make it speak!'
I shook my head, then, as he begged me so hard, I felt I ought not to refuse, but I could not play as I had done the night before, and when I had finished he said,—