And after about an hour and a half wasted in this agreeable indoor
picnic, Mrs. Branston and her friends adjourned to the drawing-room,
where the grand piano had been pushed into a conspicuous position, and
where the musical business of the evening speedily began.
It was very pleasant sitting by the open windows in the summer twilight,
with no artificial light in the room, except the wax candles on the
piano, listening to good music, and talking a little now and then in that
subdued confidential tone to which music makes such an agreeable
accompaniment.
Adela Branston sat in the midst of a group in a wide bay window, and
although John Saltram was standing near her chair, he did not this time
engage the whole of her attention. Gilbert found himself seated next a
very animated young lady, who rather bored him with her raptures about
the music, and who seemed to have assisted at every morning and evening
concert that had been given within the last two years. To any remoter
period her memory did not extend, and she implied that she had been
before that time in a chrysalis or non-existent condition. She told Mr.
Fenton, with an air of innocent wonder, that she had heard there were
people living who remembered the first appearance of Jenny Lind.
A little before ten o'clock there was a general movement for the rail,
the greater number of Mrs.
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