FORTE, _a foreign piano virtuoso (of weak nerves)._ DOMINIE, _a piano-teacher._ EMMA, _his daughter._ (_Mrs.Gold has just been singing in the modern Italian manner; suddenly alternating exaggerated high and low tones, given in a jerking manner, with inaudible _pianissimo_ in the throat, and quavering on every note, with many ornaments, and always a quarter of a tone too flat.

She sang all the four verses of "Fondly I Think of Thee" by Krebs._) DOMINIE.

Will you not go on, Mrs.Gold?
The piano is a little too high, and you are obliged to accustom yourself a little to it.
MRS.GOLD.I cannot sing any more.

That beautiful song has taken such hold of me, and I feel so badly.

(_Whispers to Dominie._) Mr.Forte did not accompany me well, either: sometimes he did not come in right, and played too feebly; and sometimes he improvised too much in playing, and overpowered my voice, which is a little weak just now.
DOMINIE (_aside to Emma_).