Miss Bingley moved with alacrity to the pianoforte, and after a polite request that Elizabeth would lead the way, which the other as politely and more earnestly negatived, she seated herself.
'Dear me, dear me! poor fellow! ' said the vicar, with an intonation like the groans of the wounded in a pianoforte performance of the 'Battle of Prague'.
The word " piano" is short for " pianoforte" , a combination of the Italian words for " soft" and " loud." Now, unlike the harpsichord, which came before it, the piano is a percussion instrument.
Mrs. Weston had been delighted before, and was delighted again; Emma joined her in all her praise; and the pianoforte, with every proper discrimination, was pronounced to be altogether of the highest promise.
Of the pianoforte so much talked of, I feel it only necessary to say, that its being ordered was absolutely unknown to Miss F—, who would never have allowed me to send it, had any choice been given her.
" This present from the Campbells, " said she—" this pianoforte is very kindly given." " Yes, " he replied, and without the smallest apparent embarrassment.