the accompaniment of her harp! And how different, again, the
scene in the home of Scrooge's nephew (_C.C._) when, after tea,
'they had some music.'

Scrooge's niece played well upon the harp; and played,
among other things, a simple little air.

It reminded Scrooge of a time long past.

He softened more and more; and thought that if he
could have listened to it often, years ago, he might
have cultivated the kindnesses of life for his own
happiness with his own hand.

Little Paul Dombey told Lady Skettles at the breaking-up party
that he was very fond of music, and he was very, very proud of
his sister's accomplishments both as player and singer. Did they
inherit this love from their father? 'You are fond of music,'
said the Hon. Mrs. Skewton to Mr. Dombey during an interval
in a game of picquet. 'Eminently so,' was the reply. But the
reader must not take him at his word. When Edith (the future
Mrs. Dombey) entered the room and sat down to her harp,

Mr. Dombey rose and stood beside her, listening. He
had little taste for music, and no knowledge of the
strain she played; but he saw her bending over it,
and perhaps he heard among the sounding strings some
distant music of his own.

Yet when she went to the piano and commenced to sing Mr. Dombey