How Success derides Ambition!  And for this he imperilled the happiness of the worthy woman he loved!  Exposed her to our fen-fogs and foul snakes—­of whom one or more might be in the assembly now:  all because of his insane itch to be the bobbing cork on the wave of the minute!  Colney’s rapid interjections condensed upon the habitual shrug at human folly, just when Victor, fronting the glassy stare of Colonel Corfe, tapped to start his orchestra through the lively first bars of the overture to Zampa.

We soon perceive that the post Mr. Radnor fills he thoroughly fills, whatever it may be.  Zampa takes horse from the opening.  We have no amateur conductor riding ahead:  violins, ’cellos, piano, wind-stops:  Peridon, Catkin, Pempton, Yatt, Cormyn, Colney, Mrs. Cormyn, Dudley Sowerby:  they are spirited on, patted, subdued, muted, raised, rushed anew, away, held in hand, in both hands.  Not earnestness worn as a cloak, but issuing, we see; not simply a leader of musicians, a leader of men.  The halo of the millionaire behind, assures us of a development in the character of England’s merchant princes.  The homage we pay him flatters us.  A delightful overture, masterfully executed; ended too soon; except that the programme forbids the ordinary interpretation of prolonged applause.  Mr. Radnor is one of those who do everything consummately.  And we have a monition within, that a course of spiritual enjoyment will rouse the call for bodily refreshment.  His genial nod and laugh and word of commendation to his troop persuade us oddly, we know not how, of provision to come.  At the door of the retiring-room, see, he is congratulated by Luciani and Durandarte.  Miss Priscilla Graves is now to sing a Schumann.  Down later, it is a duet with the Rev. Septimus Barmby.  We have nothing to be ashamed of in her, before an Italian Operatic singer!  Ices after the first part is over.

CHAPTER XXI

DARTREY FENELLAN

Had Nataly and Nesta known who was outside helping Skepsey to play ball with the boys, they would not have worked through their share of the performance with so graceful a composure.  Even Simeon Fenellan was unaware that his half-brother Dartrey had landed in England.  Dartrey went first to Victor’s office, where he found Skepsey packing the day’s letters and circulars into the bag for the delivery of them at Lakelands.  They sprang a chatter, and they missed the last of the express trains which did, not greatly signify, Skepsey said, ‘as it was a Concert.’  To hear his hero talk, was the music for him; and he richly enjoyed the pacing along the railway-platform.