h it well enough, but I certainly wish they could
be made more comfortable. However, the fellow seems to have done his
best for us; I have seen no better building than this in the whole
settlement, so I suppose we must endeavour to be content as long as we
are obliged to remain here; and as for the piano, why it will enable the
ladies to beguile an hour or two; but it is a queer present to make
under the circumstances, and the man who made it is certainly a bit of
an eccentric."

"You are right," replied Evelin; "and this gift is by no means his only
eccentricity. Guess what is his latest request, or command, I scarcely
know which to call it?"

They all decided that it would be utterly impossible for them to guess,
there was no saying _what_ absurd whim might seize upon such a man; they
would be surprised at _nothing_ which he might ask, and so on.

"Well, then, I will tell you," said Lance. "He wishes me to give the
men a concert to-night at eight o'clock in the assembly-room."

"Oh, Lance, what an extraordinary request!" exclaimed Blanche. "You
will of course refuse; you will never trust yourself alone among all
those men?"

"Certainly I shall," answered her lover, "why not? There will not be
the slightest danger. The men are not in an excited state by any means,
and I have an idea that a little music now and then may increase our
popularity among them and place us on a more secure footing, if indeed
it does not enable us to reach and awaken whatever of good may still
exist in their breasts. Besides," he added with a gay laugh, "I feel
curious to see what effect I can produce upon them."

"If you go, Lance, I shall go with you," said Rex.

Violet Dudley glanced quickly and somewhat appealingly at the last
speaker, but she had too much spirit to say a word which would keep her
lover away from the side of his friend when there was a possibility that
that friend might stand in need of help.

"I think I may as well go also," remarked Captain Staunton. "It seems
hardly fair to leave you all the work to do, Evelin, when any of the
rest of us can help you. I can sing a fairly good song, I flatter
myself, if I am not much of a hand at the piano, and so when you feel
tired I'll give you a spell."

"All right," said Lance. "The more the merrier; we shall at least show
them that we are no churls. Are there any more volunteers?"

"Certainly," said Bob, "I'm one, Mr Evelin, if you will have me. I am
somethi