MRS. GOLD.  NO:  the charming Viardot-Garcia first introduced them as Rosina in “The Barber of Seville,” and I had them written down by a musician in the theatre.  But the employment of them in this duet is my own idea.  I have already surprised and delighted a great many people with them in parties.  The grand, rushing, chromatic scale with which the artistic Garcia astonishes every one, when acting the dreaming, fainting Amina in “La Somnambula,” I introduce in the grand aria of the divine “Prophet;” rather timidly, it is true, for the boldness of a Garcia can only be acquired on the stage.

EMMA.  But, father, Jenny Lind sang in this duet in Vienna, quite simply, and with a pure religious spirit.

DOMINIE.  That is the reason Mrs. Gold says that Jenny Lind sings too coldly, and ought to listen to more passionate models.  But we will talk more about this at home.

MRS. GOLD.  Now, Mr. Dominie, will not your daughter Emma play us some little trifle?  Afterwards I will execute with Mr. Silver, “By thy loving kindness, O Lord,” and a few duets by Kuecken, and finish, if the company wishes, with the “Grace” aria.

DOMINIE.  Will you allow me first to replace this broken string?

     (After Dominie has finished, Mr. Forte strides up to the piano,
     and plays his Etude for the left hand, with the right hand extended
     towards the company.)

DOMINIE (to Mr. Forte, after the conclusion of the piece).  Would it not have been easier and more to the purpose, if you had used both hands?

MR. FORTE.  We must forgive old people such pedantic observations.  You entirely mistake my stand-point.  Do you not see that I am standing with one foot in the future?  Are you not aware that the public wish not only to listen, but to see something strange?  Do you not perceive also that my appearance of ill-health produces a great musical effect?

MR. PIOUS.  Do you not feel the special charm and the fine effect which is produced by the left hand playing alone, and no less by the right hand extended?

DOMINIE.  Is it so?  Well, probably feeling has taken a false direction with me.  I shall be obliged to accustom myself to such Parisian flights of sentiment.

     (Emma played Chopin’s Ballad in A flat major, after Dominie had
     previously announced it.  The company were attentive.)

MR. FORTE (at the conclusion).  Bravo!  A very good beginning, Mr. Dominie.  I am sorry that I am obliged to take leave now:  I am obliged to go to two more soirees this evening, and have many letters of introduction to deliver.

MR. SILVER.  Miss Emma, I have just heard that you play finely a great deal of Chopin’s music.  Let us hear his two latest nocturnes.

MRS. GOLD (to Emma).  Have you heard the famous Camilla Pleyel play Kalkbrenner’s charming D minor concerto?  Do you not also play such brilliant music? for example, Doehler’s beautiful, pathetic Notturno in D flat.  Mr. X. lately played that to us enchantingly.