His singular outlandish vehemence, and the sweeping grandeur of a determination that lightly assumed the corruptibility of our Press, sent a smile circling among the ladies and gentlemen.  The youth who had wished to throw the fair unknown a dozen bouquets, caught himself frowning at this brilliant prospect for her, which was to give him his opportunity.

CHAPTER III

The next morning there were many “tra-las” and “tum-te-turns” over the family breakfast-table; a constant humming and crying, “I have it”; and after two or three bars, baffled pauses and confusion of mind.  Mr. Pericles was almost abusive at the impotent efforts of the sisters to revive in his memory that particular delicious melody, the composition of the fair singer herself.  At last he grew so impatient as to arrest their opening notes, and even to interrupt their unmusical consultations, with “No:  it is no use; it is no use:  no, no, I say!” But instantly he would plunge his forehead into the palm of his hand, and rub it red, and work his eyebrows frightfully, until tender humanity led the sisters to resume.  Adela’s, “I’m sure it began low down—­tum!” Cornelia’s:  “The key-note, I am positive, was B flat—­ta!” and Arabella’s putting of these two assertions together, and promise to combine them at the piano when breakfast was at an end, though it was Sunday morning, were exasperating to the exquisite lover of music.  Mr. Pericles was really suffering torments.  Do you know what it is to pursue the sylph, and touch her flying skirts, think you have caught her, and are sure of her—­that she is yours, the rapturous evanescent darling! when some well-meaning earthly wretch interposes and trips you, and off she flies and leaves you floundering?  A lovely melody nearly grasped and lost in this fashion, tries the temper.  Apollo chasing Daphne could have been barely polite to the wood-nymphs in his path, and Mr. Pericles was rude to the daughters of his host.  Smoothing his clean square chin and thick moustache hastily, with outspread thumb and fingers, he implored them to spare his nerves.  Smiling rigidly, he trusted they would be merciful to a sensitive ear.  Mr. Pole—­who, as an Englishman, could not understand anyone being so serious in the pursuit of a tune—­laughed, and asked questions, and almost drove Mr. Pericles mad.  On a sudden the Greek’s sallow visage lightened.  “It is to you! it is to you!” he cried, stretching his finger at Wilfrid.  The young officer, having apparently waited till he had finished with his knife and fork, was leaning his cheek on his fist, looking at nobody, and quietly humming a part of the air.  Mr. Pericles complimented and thanked him.

“But you have ear for music extraordinaire!” he said.

Adela patted her brother fondly, remarking—­“Yes, when his feelings are concerned.”

“Will you repeat zat?” asked the Greek. “‘To-to-ri:’  hein?  I lose it.  ‘To-to-ru:’  bah!  I lose it; ‘To-ri:—­to—­ru—­ri ro:’  it is no use:  I lose it.”