"There," said Anne, "now for a catalogue of Edward's virtues! They must all be got in, rhyme or no rhyme."
Dulcimer kept on rehearsing. Every four lines, the quartet struck in with the chorus, which was then repeated by the whole company, clapping their hands and stamping their feet to the time, with great vivacity.
"Now, Anne, is coming your turn," said Nina, as Dulcimer launched out, in most high-flown strains, on the beauty of Miss Anne.
"Yes," said Clayton, "the catalogue of your virtues will be something extensive."
"I shall escape, at any rate," said Nina.
"Don't you be too sure," said Anne. "Dulcimer has had his eye on you ever since you've been here."
And true enough, after the next stanza, Dulcimer assumed a peculiarly meaning expression.
"There," said Anne, "do see the wretch flirting himself out like a saucy crow! It's coming! Now look out, Nina!"
With a waggish expression from the corner of his downcast eyes, he sung,—
"Oh, mas'r is often absent—do you know where he goes?