Agnes' anticipations of an agreeable day at Lady Glenfeld's were not disappointed – they were surpassed. She was received with more than politeness – with warmth and cordiality; and Lord Glenfeld, when she was introduced to him, assisted by his good breeding in making her feel at ease. He appeared to be about four or five-and-thirty; had in all respects the air of a gentleman; was grave and calm, but looked happy, particularly when speaking to or listening to his wife.

Agnes was their only guest; but with the / variety of resources which her talents and Isabel's afforded, time could not pass languidly, even in so small a party. In the evening they had music; and the rich and highly cultivated voice of Agnes perhaps put the generosity of Isabel to a severer trial than even a greater degree of personal beauty might have done. She struggled successfully, however, against the momentary sensation of envy she had experienced; and though perfectly conscious that she was vying with one who far excelled her, hesitated not when Agnes quitted the instrument, to take her place and sing after her. The Glenfelds were neither of them qualified to institute comparisons between the young performers; they thought them equally admirable.

But what delighted both the husband and wife infinitely more than the finished recitative and fine Italian expression of their opera music, were the lively and amusing French songs of which Agnes had an endless variety in her memory; to these she gave a grace and / playfulness that were so exhilarating to her little auditory, that even Lord Glenfeld's white teeth became visible whilst he stood smiling beside the instrument; and the two sisters were most animated in their plaudits.