158 LTurnasiade Cottage,

despairing of all other means, took to giving
dancing lessons—it was the only thing, he said,
that he knew thoroughly how to do. He had,
indeed, been renowned for his graceful figure and
good dancing ; and the dancing lessons succeeded
so well that they brought in a regular and very
considerable increase to our income. He played
the violin well enough to be able to accompany
himself during his lessons ; and he was able to add
to his occupation that of playing at such balls and
dances as were given in the neighbourhood. There
were two men who went about playing the harp
and piano, and my father’s violin made a welcome
addition to the orchestra.”

“Is that the same violin, sir—that one in your
room?” J enquired. I had found it difficult at first
to keep up a show of interest in the dancing-master
father, but the violin seemed to give the story a
reality, when my master answered—

“The same one! Yes. I remember noticing that
my mother did not like my father’s frequent attend-
ance at these parties ; but what he gained in that
way he considered as his pocket-money, to be spent
on his own pleasures, so it was difficult to raise an
objection to his means of earning it. But she was
right ; it reminded him too strongly of the contrast
between his former and his present life, and he