It was finished. The twenty who understood gasped. The thirty who listened murmured thanks, and resumed their talk about something else. The twenty who neither listened nor understood went on talking without any comment at all.
'You have had excellent masters,' said the Doctor. 'You play very well indeed—not like an amateur. It is a pity that you cannot play in public.'
'You have made good use of your opportunities,' said Philippa. 'I have never heard an amateur play better. I play a little myself; but——'
'I said you would be pleased,' Zoe murmured softly at her side. 'I knew you would be pleased when you heard Armorel play.'
'You will play yourself, presently?' said the Herr Doctor.
'No; not this evening,' Philippa replied. 'Impossible—after Armorel.'
'Not this evening!' echoed Zoe, sweetly.
Then there came walking tall and erect through the crowd, which respectfully parted right and left to let him pass, a young man of striking and even distinguished appearance.
'Philippa,' he said, 'will you introduce me to your cousin?'
'Armorel, this is another cousin of mine—unfortunately not of yours—Mr. Alec Feilding.'