"There's something the matter with you, my blessing," said the Colonel.
"No, no, nothing at all; only I want to have the Blüthner safe."
Accordingly, a day or two later, a proper van was sent for the Blüthner, which once more found its place in the Colonel's beautiful drawing-room. Soon afterwards a man came and repaired the damage that had been done, and Maureen seemed happy once more; but she little knew what was awaiting her. A piano, the best which could be secured, an upright Broadwood, was hired by Maureen herself from Barry's, and this piano was never locked and the girls could pound on it as much as they pleased.
"Only let me know when you intend to play," said the Rector, "for true music is the delight of my life, whereas such chords and crashes as you produce, to say nothing of your false notes, Henrietta, have a very unpleasant effect upon me."
"Well, I am sure," said Henrietta, "I was always remarked at school for my glorious voice. They said that if I wasn't so rich I ought to go in for opera, and I am sure Daisy plays my accompaniments first rate."
"I do so," said Daisy. "I have two big chords for the bass, and play the tune with one or two fingers for the treble. I am told it has a very pleasing effect."
"Well, play your own way," said the Rector, "but don't ask me to admire what is not music."
All this time the hearts of the two girls were waxing very hot within them. They had looked in vain for any medical book in their father's library, and at last they determined to drive into Kingsala and ask the chemist to give them some rat poison.
"We must be careful of one thing," said Henrietta to her sister; "we do not want to kill the horse, we only want to make him very ill. Then she'll get into a pepper and we'll pretend to sympathise, and have our lark all the time."
Accordingly, on a beautiful bright morning, the Misses Mostyn implored their step-father to lend them the phaeton in order to drive to Kingsala.