My niece sings, and the curate and I--'Arcades ambo'-- respond successively--he on the bass-viol and I on my Stradivarius.

Come, my dear Cure, let us begin--'incipe, Mopse, prior." In spite of the masterly execution of the old gentleman and of the delicate science of the cure, it was Madame de Tecle who appeared to Camors the most remarkable of the three virtuosi.

The calm repose of her features, and the gentle dignity of her attitude, contrasting with the passionate swell of her voice, he found most attractive.
In his turn he seated himself at the piano, and played a difficult accompaniment with real taste; and having a good tenor voice, and a thorough knowledge of its powers, he exerted them so effectually as to produce a profound sensation.

During the rest of the evening he kept much in the background in order to observe the company, and was much astonished thereby.

The tone of this little society, as much removed from vulgar gossip as from affected pedantry, was truly elevated.