Read "A Bankrupt Heart, Volume I" by Florence Marryat online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Farmer Owen was considered quite a proficient on the violin in Usk, and as soon as the party, with the exception of Nell, had discussed the good things provided for them, he drew his instrument from its green baize case, and proceeded to play a plaintive ballad. His friends listened with respectful attention, but the melancholy strain was too much for Nell's over-strung nerves.
‘Oh, give us something livelier, Mr Owen, do,' she cried, jumping up from her seat. ‘"Robin Adair" is enough to give one the blues! Let's have a dance instead. Here, Hetty, help me to wheel the table into the corner, and we'll stand up for a good old country reel. Did I tell you that Lord Ilfracombe is married? We'll dance in honour of the wedding.'