Albert Kinross

“ Later on, at dinner, the conversation again drifted towards Sopwith's opera. Captain Mills had met the composer.
"A long-haired chap with glasses, isn't he?" the soldier asked of Merceron.
"He wasn't when I last saw him, but Sopwith's capable of much," replied Harvey, smiling as he pictured this new composer's evident concessions to the situation.
"Do you think he let it grow on purpose?" asked Lady Horace.
"Imagine a musician without long hair!" exclaimed Lady Grasmere, "nobody would believe in him—an English name is bad enough!" ”

“ Merceron were to write an opera, do you think he'd let his hair grow?" demanded Lady Horace, with more mischief, perhaps, than she had intended, "or Captain Mills?"
"I should think letting one's hair grow is quite sufficient occupation, without throwing in an opera," returned Harvey unruffled. ”

“ Sir Horace and Lady May were examining a book of artificial flies; and, indoors, the Marquis was deep in the Times.
"Your friend Sopwith's opera, Francesca of Rimini, is going to be put on this season—a British composer at last!" said the Marquis as he shook Harvey's hand.
"Is it? I must write and congratulate him—haven't seen Sopwith for months; he's been pretty quick though, he had only just begun it when I last saw him."
"We 'll all have to go and cheer," proposed Lady Grasmere.
"Rather!" from Merceron ”