“Poor Mr. Franz! with the recollection of the morning’s adventure on his mind, and his father’s rule ringing in his ears, he felt singing to be out of the question, so he declined.  On which they entreated, insisted, and would listen to no refusal.  And Jacintha went to him, and looked at him with her sweetest smile, and said, ’But you know, Mr. Franz, you said you could sing a little; and if it’s ever so little, you should sing when you’re asked!’ and with that Miss Jacintha offered him her hand, and led him to the piano.

“Franz was annoyed, though he ought to been pleased.

“‘But how am I to keep out of people’s way,’ thought he to himself, ’if they will pull me forward?  It’s the oddest thing I ever knew.  I can’t do right either way.’

“Then a thought struck him:-

“‘I have no music, Miss Jacintha,’ said he, ’and I can’t sing without music;’ and he was going back again to his chair in the corner.

“‘But we have all the new music,’ was her answer, and she opened a portfolio at once.  ‘See, here’s the last new song!’ and she held one up before the unfortunate youth, who at the sight of it coloured all over, even to the tips of his ears.  Whereupon Miss Jacintha, who was watching him, laughed, and said she had felt sure he knew it; and down she sat, and began to play the accompaniment, and in two minutes afterwards Mr. Franz found himself—­in spite of himself, as it were—­ exhibiting in the song, the fatal song of the morning’s adventure.

“It was a song of tender sentiment, and the singer’s almost tremulous voice added to the effect, and a warm clapping of hands greeted its conclusion.

“But by that time Mr. Franz was so completely exhausted with the struggles of this first effort on the new plan, that he began to wish them good-night, saying he would not intrude upon them any longer.

“They would shake hands with him, though he tried to bow himself off without; and the old partner followed him down-stairs into the hall.

“‘Mr. Franz,’ said he, ’we have been delighted to make your acquaintance, but this has been only a quiet family party.  Now we know your sort, you must come again, and meet our friends.  Wife will fix the day, and send you word; and don’t you be afraid, young man!  Mind you come, and put your best foot forward among us all!’

“Franz was almost desperate.  His conscience began to reproach him.  What! was he going to accept all this kindness, like a rogue receiving money under false pretences?  He was shocked, and began to protest:-

“’I assure you, dear sir, I don’t deserve—­You are quite under a mistake—­I really am not—­the fact is, you think a great deal better of me than—­”

“‘Nonsense!’ shouted the old partner, clapping him vigorously on the back.  ’Why, you’re not going to teach me at my time of life, surely?  Not going to turn as conceited as that, after all, eh?  Come, come, Mr. Franz, no nonsense!  And to-morrow,’ he added, ’I’ll send you letters of introduction to some of my friends, who will show you the lions, and make much of you.  You will be well received wherever you take them, first for my sake, and afterwards for your own.  There, there!  I won’t hear a word!  No thanks—­I hate them!  Good night.’