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mine, an eminent polo player, and a first-rate, all-round man. He can play the fiddle too, like a house on fire. I am sure you will get on splendidly, Campbell. This is our distinguished visitor, Mynheer von Piper. He is the greatest musician at present in the Southern hemisphere, and he is a great friend of mine.” The professor smiled and shook hands with the newcomer, who observed in a friendly tone, “My name is Campbell, sir, and I know you are Professor Piper. Our friend has forgotten to give our names, but I have often heard of you.”

“Ah, Mr. Campbell? Yes, I have heard Miss Lauder speak of you. So?—And you are a musician too?”

“Oh, no, sir, I cannot lay claim to that. But I am awfully fond of it. I heard you playing upstairs last night, and I came to the door to listen. I cannot keep away from music any more than a cat can keep from cream.”

“Well, let us have some cream, by all means. What would you like?”

“I should like the ballet music from ‘Rosamunde,’” said Campbell.

“Well, if our friends here will bear with us for a little,” and the delicate aërial music floated over the smoke, without apparently disturbing any of the talkers.