After All.

CHAPTER VI . The course of true love . —Shakespeare . AFTER his extraordinary performance , at the effect of which be was as much astonished as any of them , the talented organist received a perfect ovation . Many of the congregation crowded round him , ancl pressed him for the name

of the composer of the piece , and when he explained to them that it was a little sketch of his own , astonishment ancl incredulity Avere depicted on their faces , and for some time they could hardly believe it . When , however , they had somewhat recovered from their unbelief , but not their astonishment , they were enthusiastic in their congratulations , ancl begged him to quickly publish the splendid march , Arthur Humberton was overwhelmed by their eager

appreciation of his composition , ancl surprised at its marvellous influence . He had , indeed , put all his energy and ingenuit y into both the composing and the rendition of it , ancl had been very proud of it ; but the result of his performance exceeded his most ambitious expectations . He felt , while playing it , that one was listening to him in whose eyes he wished to shine to the greatest advantageancl nervous as he washe brought every abilitto bear his

, , y upon performance , aud when he had concluded it , he himself felt as if he had been in a trance , so thoroughly had his whole spirit gone with the music . No wonder that his professor , Cribton , could so hardly conceal his delight when he heard it played on his piano . Amid crowds of admiring friends he walked along , though they would hardly allow him from their eagerness to question him ; ancl each would have

liked to have monopolized him . They felt that it was rather too much to ask him to play the piece again then , though had it not been a place of worship , their thundering plaudits would have expressed their keen ancl uncontrollable desire for an encore .

Certainly , Arthur Humberton had suddenl y risen to notoriety , if not fame . They extracted a promise from him that he would jday the inarch for them again after the evening service . He was wildl y elated at his success , ancl felt like a conquering monarch ; truly , he had achieved a wonder . What should hinder him now from rapidly rising to fame , ancl winning all before him ? He felt that he had some solid ground on which to build his pardonable cerial castlesand he indulged in dreaming glorious golden vistas for the future .

, Now he would honour Olivia ; she should be his queen ancl reign in splendour , while the multitude gazed in admiration and wonder . In fact he was perfectl y dazed , and would have liked to have been left alone for a little time , that he might think over ancl weigh the events of the past few minutes . His position was indeed perplexing . All this time he was looking out for the Phanes , or rather for Olivia ( for he by no means forgot her in his triumph ; it was for

her ancl through her he had achieved it ; at least so he afterwards said ) . But they were nowhere to be seen . He felt very troubled about their absence , though he had no time to reflect during the puzzling clamour of his friends , Merrislope ancl Redtaper being amongst the number . As soon as ever he could edge the question at all appropriately , he inquired where the Phanes were . Merrislope related the incidentand Arthurhardly knowing what he did

, , , rushed off like a madman immediately , ivithout any explanation . He tore along the streets on that bright Sunday morning to the surprise of the demure chuvchgoing population . Graduall y the sharp breeze fanned his fevered brow and cooled his excited imagination , and he began to think that he was hardly acting wisely in being so preciitate . So he walked on rather more sedateluntil he arrived at his

p y destination , the house of Mr . Phane . Hesitatingly he ascended the steps , and presenting his card to the domestic , asked if Miss Phane had recovered . Mr . ancl Mrs . Phane received him kindl y but quietly , though with a nervous manner observable , as they endeavoured to praise him for his unqualified success .