"Come back!" called Richard. "Bertha will want to hear the rest of the 'Serenade' when she comes down."
"The 'Serenade'!" he said, derisively. "No, thank you. You have had enough of me, and I have had too much of myself."
He passed into the hall just as the professor descended from the nursery and through the open door. Tredennis heard what they said to each other.
"You did not finish the 'Serenade,'" said the professor.
"No," was the reply; "and I am afraid you were resigned to it, Professor."
"You were singing it very well, and with great effect," the professor responded, amicably.
"You are very kind to say so," Arbuthnot answered. "Good-night, sir."
"Good-night," replied the professor, as he entered the parlor.
As he did so Tredennis heard the sound of feet upon the stairs, and caught a glimpse of Bertha's white figure as she came down.