address was wonderfully clever, her partial eyes failing to notice that
he was big and awkward, that he did not know what to do with his hands,
and that he was more than usually nervous. There was another pair of
eyes, besides Elizabeth's, that, when they dared lift themselves,
looked upon his blundering performance with tender pride. But Miss
Gordon gazed at him coldly, thanking herself that she had put an end to
all nonsense between him and Annie before it was too late. The
grandson of a tavern-keeper, though he might rise to have good morals,
could never reach the height of genteel manners.

At last the chairman's halting remarks were concluded, and the
programme fairly started. First came a chorus by all the girls of the
school, and such of the boys as could be coaxed or driven to the
platform; the masculine portion of the artists having suddenly
developed an overwhelming modesty. But the girls were all eager to
perform; and they sang "Flow gently, sweet Afton" with great vigor,
and, as Mr. Coulson said afterwards, "just like the robins in
springtime."

As they burst into the second verse, Elizabeth, who stood directly
behind Mary, and had to view the audience through the halo, was
surprised to see a boy down near the stove making vigorous signs to
attract her attention. She stared in amazement, and almost stopped
singing. It was Horace! There he was in a brand new velvet suit,
smiling at her with the greatest glee, and pointing her out to his
companions. He sat between two ladies, the very two Elizabeth had seen
enter with Mr. Coulson. One was a tall, thin lady in a sealskin coat,
probably Horace's mamma, as he called her. The other lady was very
stout and wonderfully dressed. Elizabeth could scarcely see her face
for the enormous plumed hat she wore. She seemed to be a very grand
lady, indeed, for, every time she moved, jewels glittered on her hat or
at her throat.

Elizabeth quite forgot the words of the song watching her, and was
absently singing:

"_There oft as mild evening weeps over the Tea,
There daily I wander as noon rises high,_"

when Rosie poked her back to consciousness.

When they had come down from the platform and the stir of preparation
for the next number was going on behind the billowing sheets, Elizabeth
felt herself pulled vigorously from behind. She whirled about; Horace
was beside her, all smiles.

"Hello," he cried cordially. "Say, you sang just jolly, Lizzie."