After All .

turmoil of the same battle , ancl fought heroically for a time , to come out at last beaten . ancl disappointed , lacking the continuous courage to succeed ! He gathered little coteries of friends around him by his successes ; some of them useful friends , too , who sought his company not for the honour he had achieved , but purely for the pleasure of knowing ancl communing- with the accomplished musicianancl for the sake of mutual assistance in the divine art ;

, ancl many were the musical practices they had in private , forming most enjoyable evenings of recreation . At these happy rencontres Herbert Redtaper frequently formed one , he being particularly partial to the flute . His clear and perfect notes fitted into the pieces performed with the accuracy of mechanism , and the other instrumentalists took their cue from him , his faultless accompaniment telling them

immediately when they were wrong in time . Humberton ' s compositions were frequently in request , ancl this select society professed themselves delighted with them . Though mostly amateurs , they were genuine workers , with their whole hearts in the composition , ancl it was seldom that they did not do justice to the works they rendered . Humberton ' s unique style charmed them : its peculiar melodies , singular cadences ,

combined with a sweet , sympathetic , and chastening harmony , was continuall y commented on , though Arthur constantly depreciated his own abilities . But he could not disbelieve the unanimous voice of his friends ancl the public , though he often wondered at the small remuneration he received for his public success . His pieces became popular , yet they brought him very little for it He was thankful that he was not entirely dependent upon the proceeds of his musical prowess . But , nil desperandum .

Amongst his musical friends were his cousins Victor and Violet Cumberlaud , the former playing the violin exquisitely ancl the latter having- a charming voice . Victor ' s manipulation of his instrument was something marvellous , while Violet had a tasteful command over her powerfull ancl melodious voice . The two were a concert in themselves sufficient to enchain the attention of an audience for hours . Add to this that Violet was a singularly beautiful girl ,

with dark hair ancl eyes , the latter especially noticeable for their intensel y fascinating earnestness , and there was no wonder that they were great favourites in the charmed circle of friends . All the gentlemen were hopelessl y in love with Violet Cumberland ; she was a dangerous light in an explosive magazine . Of course she was conscious of the charm she carried wherever she went , but she was powerless to avoid its consequences . She could not

control the bewitching- influence of her eloquent eye any more than the majority of its beholders could resist its alluring' influence . Nor was Arthur Humberton unconscious of her dazzling beauty ; even to him those dark speaking orbs flashed a liquid language that electrified his whole soul with a mystic emotion too deep to understand . He struggled against itand thought only of his own Oliviabut the attraction was

irre-, , sistible ; and he was specially favoured with her g lowing glances . Many were the whispered hints thrown out , and Arthur was much envied . The graceful , gentle , and clever young lady was considered a fortunate acquisition for her personal charms . Arthur ' s rather cold reception of her apparent favours astonished at the same time that it infused fresh hope into her enthusiastic but less fortunate

admirers . But Arthur ' s hopes were elsewhere , and he would not be false to himself ancl his Olivia for all the lovely sirens in the world . Vain were her enticing arts ; he was proof against them all . Yet did she never abate her evident favours towards him , almost making love to him , while all the little Society wondered at- the strange scene , so contrary to their ordinary experience . To Arthur ' s credit be it said that he strove by every means in his power to inform the beautiful girl of his peculiar situation ; but she either could not or would not understand him , for her conduct remained the same , though mixed