"I have my own peculiar tastes," he answered quietly; "some nerves are more delicately strung than others."
"Do you imply that my playing is too loud for delicate nerves? Why, that is nothing to what I can do. That is my company music. When I am at home I give full scope to my powers."
"We are perfectly satisfied with the specimen we have heard," said he, smiling; how could he help it? and every one laughed, none more heartily than the gay musician herself. I never heard such a laugh before, so merry, so contagious; such a rich, round, ringing laugh; dying away one moment, then bursting out again in such a chorus!
All at once she fixed her eyes on me, and starting up, came directly to me, planting her tall, finely formed, firm-set figure in the midst of the group around me.
"Come, you must play and sing too. I have no doubt your style will suit Mr. Linwood's delicate nerves."
"I never play," I answered.
"Nor sing?"
"Only at home."
"You have a face of music, I am sure."
"Thank you. I have a heart to appreciate it; that is a great gift."