"No, my lord, none indeed--I'm glad to say," replied Déloge with a laugh.
"Glad to say! eh, Déloge? that's not very patriotic, is it?"
"O, I did not mean to confine my gladness to the dearth of native talent. If you only knew, my dear lord, how I'm hunted cut of life by promising talent, or by talent which considers itself promising and wants to perform, you would know fully how to appreciate, as I do, good steady-going mediocrity."
"By Jove, Déloge! this is not very encouraging for me! I came to ask your advice on the question of bringing out a young lady of unquestionable genius."
"Unless her genius is quite unquestionable I should advise you to let the young lady remain in. Why, think for yourself, my dear lord; you know these things as well as I do, and have every singer for the past quarter of a century in your mind. Run over the list and tell me which of them--always excepting Miss Lavrock--has made anything like a success."
"Ha!" said Lord Sandilands, "yes, the Lavrock--what a voice, what a charming trill! not but that I think Miss Lambert--"
"Is it a question of Miss Lambert--Miss Grace Lambert?"
"It is. Miss Lambert has decided upon adopting the musical profession, and my object in coming here was to consult you as to the best means to give effect to her wishes."
"That's quite another affair. I have only heard Miss Lambert once. I was engaged by Lady Lowndes to pilot Miramella and Jacowski to one of her ladyship's wonderful gatherings, and after they had finished their duet we went to the dining-room to get some of that curious refreshment which is always provided there for the artists. They had scarcely begun to eat when the whole house rang with a trill of melody so clear and bird-like that the Miramella only drank half her glass of sherry, and Jacowski put down his sandwich--I don't wonder at it--untasted. We all rushed upstairs, and found that the singer was Miss Grace Lambert. She sang so exquisitely, and produced such an immense effect, that Madame Miramella was seized with one of her violent headaches, and was obliged to be taken home."
Lord Sandilands was delighted. "Poor Miramella!" said he, chuckling quietly, "and Ger-- and Miss Lambert was successful?"