"
"Mamma," whispered Julia terrified, "get me away, or there will be a
scene. He is reckless."
"Be calm, love," said Mrs. Dodd, "there shall be none." She rose and
glided up to Alfred Hardie, looked coldly in his face; then said with
external politeness and veiled contempt, "I will attempt the song, sir,
since you desire it." She waved her hand, and he followed her sulkily to
the piano. She sung Aileen Aroon, not with her daughter's eloquence, but
with a purity and mellowness that charmed the room: they had never heard
the genius sing it.
As spirits are said to overcome the man at whose behest they rise, so
this sweet air, and the gush of reminiscence it awakened, overpowered him
who had evoked them; Alfred put his Hand unconsciously to his swelling
heart, cast one look of anguish at Julia, and hurried away half choked.
Nobody but Julia noticed.
A fellow in a rough great-coat and tattered white hat opened the fly door
for Mrs. Dodd. As Julia followed her, he kissed her skirt unseen by Mrs.
Dodd, but her quick ears caught a heart-breaking sigh. She looked and
recognised Alfred in that disguise; the penitent fit had succeeded to the
angry one.
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