One by one all spoke to Mr. Butler; laughter among us broke out as wine was served and compliments exchanged.
"The hardest lesson man is born to is that lesson which teaches him to await the dressing of his lady," said De Lancey.
"Aye, and await it, too, without impatience!" said Captain Harkness.
"And in perfect good-humor," echoed De Lancey gravely. O'Neil sat down at the piano and played "The World Turned Upside-Down," all drifting into the singing, voice after voice; and the beauty of Walter Butler's voice struck all, so that presently, one by one, we fell silent, and he alone carried the quaint old melody to its end.
"I have a guitar hereabouts," blurted out Sir Peter, motioning a servant.
The instrument was brought, and Walter Butler received it without false modesty or wearying protestation, and, touching it dreamily, he sang:
"Ninon! Ninon! Que fais-tu de la vie?
L'heure s'enfuit, le jour succède au jour,
Rose, ce soir—demain flétrie
Comment vis-tu, toi qui n'as pas d'amour?