按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
occupation； gave a splendid imitation of the historic last scene at the
10
… Page 11…
The Fifth String
Tower of Babel。 Having accomplished this to its evident satisfaction； the
audience proceeded； like the closing phrase of the ‘‘Goetterdaemmerung''
Dead March； to become exceedingly quietthen expectant。
This expectancy lasted fully three minutes。 Then there were some
impatient handclappings。 A few persons whispered： ‘‘Why is he late？''
‘‘Why doesn't he come？'' ‘‘I wonder where Diotti is；'' and then came
unmistakable signs of impatience。 At its height Perkins appeared；
hesitatingly。 Nervous and jerky he walked to the center of the stage； and
raised his hand begging silence。 The audience was stilled。
‘‘Ladies and gentlemen；'' he falteringly said； ‘‘Signor Diotti left his
hotel at seven o'clock and was driven to the Academy。 The call…boy rapped
at his dressing…room； and not receiving a reply； opened the door to find the
room empty。 We have despatched searchers in every direction and have
sent out a police alarm。 We fear some accident has befallen the Signor。 We
ask your indulgence for the keen disappointment； and beg to say that your
money will be refunded at the box…office。''
Diotti had disappeared as completely as though the earth had
swallowed him。
11
… Page 12…
The Fifth String
V
My Dearest Sister： You doubtless were exceedingly mystified and
troubled over the report that was flashed to Europe regarding my sudden
disappearance on the eve of my second concert in New York。
Fearing； sweet Francesca； that you might mourn me as dead； I sent the
cablegram you received some weeks since； telling you to be of good heart
and await my letter。 To make my action thoroughly understood I must give
you a record of what happened to me from the first day I arrived in
America。 I found a great interest mani… fested in my premiere； and socially
everything was done to make me happy。
Mrs。 James Llewellyn； whom； you no doubt remember； we met in
Florence the winter of 18； immediately after I reached New York
arranged a reception for me； which was elegant in the extreme。 But from
that night dates my misery。
You ask her name？Mildred Wallace。 Tell me what she is like； I hear
you say。 Of graceful height； willowy and exquisitely molded； not over
twenty… four； with the face of a Madonna； wondrous eyes of darkest blue；
hair indescribable in its maze of tawny color in a word； the perfection of
womanhood。 In half an hour I was her abject slave； and proud in my
serfdom。 When I returned to the hotel that evening I could not sleep。 Her
image ever was before me； elusive and shadowy。 And yet we seemed to
grow farther and farther apartshe nearer heaven； I nearer earth。
The next evening I gave my first and what I fear may prove my last
concert in America。 The vision of my dreams was there； radiant in rarest
beauty。 Singularly enough； she was in the direct line of my vision while I
played。 I saw only her； played but for her； and cast my soul at her feet。 She
sat indifferent and silent。 ‘‘Cold？'' you say。 No！ No！ Francesca； not cold；
superior to my poor efforts。 I realized my limitations。 I questioned my
genius。 When I returned to bow my acknowledgments for the most
generous applause I have ever received； there was no sign on her part that
I had interested her； either through my talent or by appeal to her curiosity。
I hoped against hope that some word might come from her； but I was
doomed to disappointment。 The critics were fulsome in their praise and the
12
… Page 13…
The Fifth String
public was lavish with its plaudits； but I was abjectly miserable。 Another
sleepless night and I was determined to see her。 She received me most
graciously； although I fear she thought my visit one of vanitywounded
vanity and me petulant because of her lack of appreciation。
Oh； sister mine； I knew better。 I knew my heart craved one word；
however matter…of…fact； that would rekindle the hope that was dying
within me。
Hesitatingly； and like a clumsy yokel； I blurted： ‘‘I have been
wondering whether you cared for the performance I gave？''
‘‘It certainly ought to make little difference to you；'' she replied； ‘‘the
public was enthusiastic enough in its endorsement。''
‘‘But I want your opinion；'' I pleaded。
‘‘My opinion would not at all affect the almost unanimous verdict；
‘‘she replied calmly。
‘‘And；'' I urged desperately； ‘‘you were not affected in the least？''
Very coldly she answered； ‘‘Not in the least；'' and then fearlessly； like
a princess in the Palace of Truth： ‘‘If ever a man comes who can awaken
my heart； frankly and honestly I will confess it。''
‘‘Perhaps such a one lives；'' I said；
but has yet to reach the height to win youyour''
‘‘Speak it；'' she said； ‘‘to win my love！''
‘‘Yes；'' I cried； startled at her candor； ‘‘to win your love。'' Hope slowly
rekindled within my breast； and then with half…closed eyes； and wooingly；
she said：
‘‘No drooping Clytie could be more constant than I to him who strikes
the chord that is responsive in my soul。''
Her emotion must have surprised her； but immediately she regained
her placidity and reverted no more to the subject。
I went out into the gathering gloom。 Her words haunted me。 A strange
feeling came over me。 A voice within me cried： ‘‘Do not play to…night。
Study！ study！ Perhaps in the full fruition of your genius your music； like
the warm western wind to the harp； may bring life to her soul。''
I fled； and I am here。 I am delving deeper and deeper into the
mysteries of my art； and I pray God each hour that He may place within
13
… Page 14…
The Fifth String
my grasp the wondrous music His blessed angels sing； for the soul of her I
love is at。 tuned to the harmonies of heaven。
Your affectionate brother； ANGELO。