The Middle-Aged Lover; A Story Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ...possess." It was really a treat to hear Mr. Nagle chanting the lamented but glorious end of England's hero. He had the whole platform, orchestra, desks, &c., to himself, an assistant having previously entered and removed the large upper portion of the piano, so as to let the fullest volume of naval sound escape. The singer entered slowly, with sorrow, and even gloom, on his features. Then seating himself, he shook his head mournfully, and allowed his fingers to stray about the keys in a wild fashion, while his eyes were fixed on the ceiling. Presently he nerved himself for the effort, and struck up the triumphant strain with which the well-known ditty is inaugurated. He seemed to be on the quarter-deck, declaiming about the glorious conflict; and when he had finished each detail of the story, he dipped his head down low for long, confidential communication with his fingers. But when he reached the record of the hero's fall, and minor wailing chords, the whole story might be read in his agonised face. A simple accompaniment of the piano was all that was required, but his dramatic instinct had supplied an artful addition. A drummer had been placed in ambuscade, and signified the fatal shot by a startling stroke on his instrument. The stagger of Mr. Nagle was really dramatic; his bewildered stare in the direction of the murderous gun told his emotion. There the whole story of the admiral's bleeding wounds might be traced; the voice faltered; the fingers, like tottering limbs, feebly limped from note to note; the sounds seemed to choke in his throat; all the woes of England seemed to be borne on his sorrowing head. This, however, was relieved by the triumphant fashion with which he proclaimed the issue of the glorious day--the noble...