"You have left out half," he whispered, leaning over her, "and the words are all so sweet."
"Yes, I know, but I feared it was too long."
There were murmurs of admiration as he led her back to her seat. "How well she plays! such an exquisite touch!" "What a sweet voice! highly cultivated, and every word distinct." "Yes, and what a beauty she is!"
Some of these remarks reached Violet's ears and deepened the color on her cheek, but she forgot them all in the delight of having given pleasure to the invalid. He thanked her with tears in his eyes.
"The words are very sweet and comforting," he said. "Are they your own?"
"Oh no, sir!" she answered. "I do not know whose they are, but I have found comfort in them, and hoped that you might also."
Edward and Mary were conversing in low, earnest tones.
"I am delighted!" Mary said.
"With what?"
"Words, music, voice, everything."