Page:The Wanderer (1814 Volume 1).pdf/184

This page has been validated.

( 152 )

complaisance, or necessity, that no visit or excursion was made abroad, till several days after their arrival at Lewes. Mrs. Maple then, with her whole party, accepted an invitation to dine and spend the evening with the family of their principal actress, Miss Arbe; but a sudden indisposition with which that lady was seized after dinner, forced them home again early in the evening. Their return being unexpected, the servants were all out, or out of the way, but, entering by a door leading from the garden, which they found open, they were struck with the sound of music. They stopped, and distinctly heard a harp; they listened, and found that it was played with uncommon ability.

"Tis my harp!" cried Selina, "I am sure of that!"

"Your harp?" said Mrs. Maple; "why who can be playing it?"

"Hist! dear ladies," said Harleigh; "'tis some exquisite performer."

"It must be Lady Kendover, then,"