At half-past ten we rose from table and went into the drawing-room.

Dirkie got everything ready for a game of dominoes, and they began to

play in the Dutch fashion. My uncle kept the markers, and noted the

points made: he himself speedily scored between three and four hundred,

and then, feeling satisfied with his success, he said: "Well, give us a little music!"

My aunt did not require any pressing, but went to the piano in a very

good-humoured manner. She opened the top so that the instrument might

give out a louder sound, then passed behind and arranged everything; and

suddenly I heard the splendid introduction of Haydn's seventh symphony

in F major bursting forth, while my aunt turned the handle with rare

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skill and gracefulness. (I recognised the superb instrument mentioned in

the fourth legacy of the famous will.) I must admit that if my aunt played the minuet rather quickly, she

executed the andante in a very delicate style, and the scherzo and

the finale were both dashed off in a spirited way. At the last chord,

I applauded with sincere enthusiasm.

"She plays very well, doesn't she?" my uncle quietly asked me, in a

modest tone. "You, who are a connoisseur--"

"Oh! she plays perfectly," I rejoined, without stinting my praise.

"And besides she puts expression into it," he resumed. "One can see that

she feels what she plays."

My aunt kissed him for this compliment, which he paid her with the

gravest assurance.

"Ah! you are still a flatterer!" she said to him.

As may readily be guessed, some of Strauss's waltzes and two or three

polkas followed the classical symphonies, together with the overtures of

"Don Giovanni" and "Fra Diavolo." It was really a perfect concert till

midnight. But by that time my aunt's plump arm being somewhat tired it

was necessary to bring the entertainment to a close.

Now, my dear fellow, I am not one of those who give way to the stupid

prejudices of our foolish traditions; still less am I one of those who

seek to evade frivolous objections, or fight shy of plain and open

discussion. I have myself officially abandoned polygamy, that is

true--but you are meditating another attack upon my uncle--I see it and

I feel it--and from the depths of your troglodytic intellect you intend

to drag out some commonplace hackneyed argument accompanied by frivolous

sarcasms, and directed, not at the point in question, but all round it.

As you are even incapable of understanding your own so-called virtue in

its true and primitive sense, you will no doubt repeat your usual stupid

remarks, denouncing my uncle's conduct as scandalous.




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