studied weariness and disgust.

"Thank Heaven, that is over!" she said. "I am tired to death of this
senseless old practice! If we have it another year, I shall say I am ill
and go to bed. Come, Enid--let us go to the drawing-room and have some
music."

The girl rose and followed obediently; but she vouchsafed no answer to
Mrs. Vane's remarks. As the General had disappeared, Hubert thought that
he too might as well accompany the ladies to the drawing-room,
especially if Enid were about to play. But it did not seem that she was
inclined to do so. She sat down in the darkest corner of the room, and
leaned her head upon her hand. Flossy established herself in a luxurious
lounging-chair, and took up a novel. Hubert hesitated for a moment or
two, then went over to Enid's side.

"Are we not to have any music to-night?"

"Have you not had plenty?" she asked wearily.

"Music! You call that music?"

She did not answer; something in her voice, her attitude, seemed to show
that she was shedding tears. He was intensely sorry for her trouble,
whatever it might be; but he scarcely knew how to comfort her.

"It would be good for us all if you would play," he said softly. "We
want consoling--strengthening--uplifting."

"Ah, but music does not always do that!" she answered, with a new note
of passion in her voice. "When we are happy, music helps us--but not
when we are sad."

"Why not?" said Hubert, more from the desire to make her talk than from
any wish to hear her views on that particular subject.

But she spoke eagerly in reply, yet softly, so that her words should not
reach the ears of the silent, graceful, languid woman by the fire.

"I can't tell why," she said; "but everything is different. Once music
delighted me, even when I was a little sad; but now it seems to harrow
my very soul. It brings thoughts into my mind of all the misery of the
world. If I hear music, I shed tears--I don't know why. Everything is
changed."

"My dear child," said Hubert, "you are unhappy!"

"Yes," she said slowly, with a pathetic tremor of the voice--"yes, I am
very--very unhappy."

"Can I do nothing at all to make you happier?" he said.

The question was left unanswered.

CHAPTER XX.

"My dear Hubert," said Mrs. Vane, "if you cannot see what is the matter
with Enid, you must be blind indeed!"

"Why should I see what is the matter with her more than anybody else?"
asked Hubert, who was moving restlessly from place to p