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The cavatina came to an end, the last notes--those wonderful

notes!--floating lingeringly like a human voice, and yet more exquisite

than any human voice Falconer lowered his violin, the applause broke

out again as vehemently and enthusiastically as if the crowd beloere

at an ordinary concert, and Drake made his way to the player As he did

so, he stumbled over a violin case, the servants with a little cry--for

the stuleford is aout his hand as he recovered hi your pardon," he said "Ah! is it you, Mrs Hawksley? You are so

pleasantly dark up here"

His eyes wandered fro behind her, and he paused, as if sht or roup,

and Drake went on to Falconer

"Thank you again," he said "I have never heard the cavatina--it was it,

wasn't it?--better played I ae from the Duchess

of Cleaveed, the duchess would

be very glad if you could play for her at Cleavemere Court on the ninth

of next month I ask you at once and so uncererace is anxious to know The ninth"

Falconer bowed

"May I consider, ly