Hatosca

CIIAPTER III.- (contixvei.) All the anger died away from Sertorius' face, and, with a sigh of relief and satisfaction, he said: Well: wetl! I am dolighted to see yon, my boy. It was this paper, this fooi of a paper that annouuced your opera for this evening." "Well, it was right." "What, you ackn iwledge t! Then I think I had soine right to expect a mes-sage froin you to-day, and seeing night approach I had beíun to despair." "Perhaps, dear master," re'urned Karl, aft'eitionatel.v. 'I should have sent vou your box this inorning, but I wantcd to bring it to you myself, and, at the first leisure moment I had, I took a short ent aoross the meadows, and here 1 ani." Sertorius clapped his hands with delight, his face absolutely beaming-. "Oh! Oh! But do you Unow this is a very serious affair, young man? And, upon my word, I believe you are laughing. He is laughing, Marta'. These young men would laugh at the cannon's mouth!" "Father, dear," said Marta, quietly, "the night air is chili, and I must dress at once, if we are not to miss the overture." 'What time does it com menee, Karl?" "Eight o'clock. You have an hour and a half yet I have ordered a conveyance for you." '"Well, go and make yourself beautifnl, little one. It wou't take me two minutes, and I have much to say to Karl." After they were comfortably seated m the little salon and Marta liad retired: "Kow teil me, my boy," said faertorius. "wliat is your real opinión? Are yon nervous.' Doesn't your heart beat a little faster, eh?" "I am in a singular state," replied Karl. "I seem to walk and talk as if in a dream. Although I have passed the last three nights in rewriting my overture, it seems as though I shall never want to sleep again. I feel as light as a bird, and I don't know why I don't lly away, for 1 am terribly afraid." "VVill the excitedconditionof politioal affairs hurt your success?" ',No; on the contrary. In all times of poiitical convulsions the people long for pleasure and excitemcnt. ïhe court is to be present. "Yes, 1 know. Well, now, wliat do the people at the theater say of your work?' 'Xothing. They will teil me at midnight. Ah, dear master, if you had onlv done me the favor to at'end a singlerehearsal, 1 should feel more easy; for truly, I fear you more than the public." "My friend," returned Sertorious, gravely, "I had manygood reasons for refusing to grant your reque.st. In the first place, my opinión, based upon a completed performance, will be better and of inore advantai?e to you. And then 1 can declare with a clear conscience that 1 did not know a note of vour opera, so that no one can say, 'Ah, Sertorius did this! Sertorius did that!' which would tarnish your laurrels." "My laurels!" cried Karl, with a nervous laugh. "May heaven hear youl For if I fail I shall die," and he buried his face in his hands. "Come! come: my boy', none of that! No weakness. If you fall, you must rise again. What do you tliink has happened to me me, who speak to you? Imagine, Karl, that immense auditorium of the old theater ;it Yienna tillcd to the roof, and in the imperial box the court of Austria, which is worth quite as much, I think, as this little Neapolitan court, transplanted to Rome. I step on the stage, violoncello in hand - you could hear a pin drop. I take my bow aud begin the prelude; my fingere are lead: my arm is poweriess: tney eau ior neip; [ try tospeak; my tonque is paralyzed, motiouless, iey, like hot's wife. Ttie curtain is rung down, and I iall senseles. There, my boy, thafs what can be called a failnre, aud yet I am not dead, though the very memory of that moment brings a hot ilush to tlie roots of ïny hair." "Do you teil me this to reassure meV" "Certainly, vou great baby," replied Sertorius; with a laugh. "By the way, how does De Carnelles bear all this suspense"' "Convulively!" answered Karl, who had reeovered his composure. "He rages up and d.wn like a tiger; he dances, he sings, he screams out to the oassers-bv, he calis upon heavon, he u.reatens the public. He is a drama, a comedy and a ballet all in one. He has passed the last three nights in my room, eopying the parts and making coffee for me, calling me now his life and liis soul and then miserable rascl. Oh, he is a terrible patrón! but he has been very kind to me. I can't iorg-et that if it were not for him I Bhould still be a goatherd in the mountain3 of Dalmatia." "It ir; true. You owe him much. He umlerstands music, and he makes a noble u=e of his fortune. Why must he unite to the virtues of a Maicenas tbe manners of a harlequin? And now. my boy," continued the old maestro, pausing slig-htly, and becoming- suddenly very grave, "I have something serious to say to you. When a pupil goes forth from my hands, I consider it my duty to give him some last words of advice, which I adapt, as vv.ll us I can. to his charaeter, his talents, and his probable future. This last lesson is, in my eyes, the essential finishing touch to my work; but 1 impose it on no one; I ask you then, Karl, if you are willing to hear me and to rerognize in me for a few minutes the authority of a master, an old man and a friend." "The authority of a father," exclahned Karl warmly, reaching over and grasping Sertorius' hand, "of a dear and respected father, Master Sertorius, and not for a íew minutes, but for my whole life." "Thank you, my boy," said the maestro, deeply affected by the evident sinceritv of the young man's words and mauner, "but, without m anir.g to ofïend jou, that is more thati 1 ask, and more than a harsh experienoe has taught me to expect. Karl Koswein, from the different ramifications of the divine art which has been the object of your studies for the last se ven vears, you have chosen the dramatic bianch. I do notblameyou. But, if you succeed, as your rare talents give me every reason to hope, in rnaking the public receive you in this popular form, it is pleasant for me to think that you will take advantage of your fatne to give to the world. first of all, oratorio, theepic of harmony; then sonatas and chamber music, noble recreations of genius. Refrain, as (rom a crime, from trivialities. Do not flatter the tast of the multitude. Try to atlract the public to the sanctuary, but never depart from it. Write upon your banntr these two great words, or rather those two great principies which are at once the ridicule and terror of ignorance - contrepoint and fugue. And listen, Karl, any man who pretends to be a musician and who departa from those two great foundations of art, say to him from me, say to him frora Sertorius, that he is only a Street fiddler; that hc is a ba.si.ard and worse than a bastard, for he knows neither father nor mother; he is a preist who denies the bible and the holy evangelists. I end here, my friend," he continued, more calmly, "the professional part of my advice. It is in the same spirit which has ruled all my tutorshi?. Have tou auy objection to make to what I have said, my child?" "None, inaster,"responded Karl, who had listened with the utmost respect and attention to the words spoken by his co'npanion. "1 promise you to remain faithful, as far as my strength will allow, to the dignity of my art and to the pure traditions whieh you have transinitted to me." "It is well," said the old man, with a sigh of satisfaction. "And now, my dear Karl, the master has spoken. It is the turn of the old man and the friend. Karl Koswein, heaven has endowed you with a wonderful munificence; it has made you a musician and a poet: it has given you the lyre and the harp; it has placed a doublé crown upon your brow. There is only one way to acquit yourself before God; He has given you genius; be honest and virtuous. And be so, Karl, even so the cost of your future and your glory. Do not think, young man, to find real and lasting inspiratión in the turinoil of the senses or in passionate excitement. Delirium is not strength. Remember that the ancients, our raasters, called by the same name, virtue and force, order and beauty. Kemeniber that, in their wonderful allegories. they made Testáis, guardians of the safred fire - the Muses - chaste - and Venus, an idiot. I im not ignorant of the dangers that assail the feverish path of an artist, but I say to you, Karl, rule your life and your heart And," his voice breaking a little. "if I mav SDeak of uivselL in themidstof the fflory which awafts you without doubt, think sometióles of your oíd iiKisior in liis obscurity. We are about to part, my boy; we are abou to bical; tlie chain of our common sMidieS. of our mutual enthusiasm: Jt is vcrv hard to bear; never have I sown n so fertile a soil; never has so rich a h:irvest repuid my mrable labors. 1 thank you, Kar], for the happ.ess you have giveu me, aml I pray Uod and the Saints to reward ■ you." Tli e maestro rose tremblingly f rom his chair, and stretchlng out his arms, I murmured: "And now-now farcwell, my boy, farewell. my beloved disciple!" With a burst oí feelinpr, Karl threw himself upon the breast of the good oíd man. I "Ves. yes, you are good. I know it," cried the latter, "but you are weak, i too! Beware of that." At this moment the door opened and Marta apoeared, with a ' candle in her hand. She was dressed in a plaiu white froclc, with the high puffed sleeves and open corsage of the time, no ornament, no flowers to mar her purity and simplioity. 'Still here, father?" she exclaimed, ! "and it is past 7 o'cloek." Sertorius went toward her and takiug the candle held it whore the light fell íull upon her. "Xow, don't scold me. I have only to chantre my coat. ! Look here, Signor Maestro," gayly to Karl. "will she do us credit?" Marta laughed lightly, and bending forward, blew out tlie candle. "Marta! Marta!" exclaimed the cid man with mock reproach. "Is th'a any reason why you shou'd humilia . this young man by showing him thst yon don't think his opinión is worth having? I have noticed íor some time that you have treaie i him barbarously. Well, that is your ailair. Don't quarrel till I return." After her father's departure, Marta sat down upon the windosv seat and idly gazed out upon the deepeninu shadows of the garden. Karl walked nervously up and down the little apartment, fflancing now and then at the girl's proíile, which was elearly defined against the palo light of the sky. Suddenly he stopped his pacinc and stood before her. "Marta," he said abruptly, "your father was right ' Vou havo troated me barbarously lately. What have I done?" "You are mistaken, Karl," replied the young girl, quietly. "I haye , tainíy not intentionaily treated you ! otherwise than as usual. And beheve me" she added, "there is no one who , wishes you greater success to-night ! than 1 do." "Why do you speak to me so coldly? You must know, you must see that - " "Well, young1 people,1' interiupted a eheery voice, and Sertorius appeared, I followed by a maid servant bearing lights; "I amready, and Uertrude rlls me the carriage is here! Success! oíd , boy, and en avant!" CHAPTER IV. The Argentina theater war f%cked from pitto dome with all the beiuty, j fashion and brillianev of Komii.i ciety. For the moment, all political dissensions, all fear of the great conquerir who had already penetrated Northern Italy, were swallowed ap ín the universal desire to hear the tirst opera of the young maestro, and to pay homage once more to the queen of song, I'loria Tosca, the idol of all Italy. In the royal box was the queen, Marie Caroline, surrounded by a bevy of Neapolitan beauties, even the court deigninf to cast aside its weighty j cares for this one evening. The loge which Karl had assigned to his oíd master and hisdaughter was on the right hand, quite close to the stage, wliere they csuld have a full ! view of the audience as well as the ■ performance. He had asked permission j for his friend Mario Cavaradossi to cupy a seat in the box, and when ttiev ! ?rrived they found him awaiting them ; in the lobby. Karl then tcok leave 0Í his friends, as he had final instructions to give beiore the rising' of the curtain. De Carnelles was everywhere, flitting from box to box in a perfect whirlwind of excitement. At last the overture was over and the curiain went up on the event that was to make or mar the fortunes of his proteg-e. The scène represented the famous Hall of the Lions in the Alhambra. The opening1 chorus of the Spanish soldiers at once made a favorable impression. being full of verve and military dash. The famous Boabdil song, beautifully rendered by the tenor, Chiari, was enthusiastically received and had to be repeated, and che finale was also redemanded, followed by cali for the composer. At the fall of the curtain. various were the opinions expressed. "The best thing since II Matrimonio Segreto. " "Too clasical for my taste." "Wait for La Tosca! In her hands rests the verdict." "The young1 maestro has genius," said Prince Ka.li.sch. a Russian. accomplished, witty and well-bred when not scratehed and the Tartar shown beneath. "If the rest is as good as the beginning, the young maestro's fortune is made. They say he is la the author of the words as well as the composer of the music. " "It is simply divine." replied Lady Hamilton, to whom the last remar'k was addressed. "I feel as if 1 had been listening to a choir of angels." "Doyou know the 3roung man?" "No; I have heard De CarneHes speak of him. He is a protege of his, 1 believe. This Signor Roswein is very handsotne." she continued, with a strange enigmatical smile. "Did you observe him as he stood bowing his aclcnowledgments? He has the head of a Greek god." Prince Kalisch glanced euriously &t her. "Circe!" he murmurad. "Another victim in prospectu !'' She only shrugged her beautiful shoulders at this half insolent remark. Kalisch was privileged - he was useful to her. During the entr'acte the Chevalier de ('amelles sought the box where were Sertorius, his daughter, and Mario ( avaradossi. De ('amelles was excited to tlie highest point. "Well. Master Sertorius," he cried, "what do you think of it? VVill he do us credit?" "It is beautiful," the old man replied, wiili tcars in hiseyes. "He has remained true to his teaching, ltis like Ii7inpr my own youtli over again, and being a suocess instead of a failure. Ah! it is sad to grow old!" Marta leaned over and patted ixer fntlier's wriokled hand. "Yis. it is sad to grow old," an8woreil the Chevalier, merrily, "bnt it is the best method that has us yet been discovered to live a long1 time." "You know lam almost a stranger in Rome, Chevalier," remarked Cavaradossi; "Wl me who some of the notables are." "To begin with the notable oí notables; the queen, of course, you know by sight. I have a certain admiration for that woman. Mated to a clown, whose inferiority in brains and breeding she can not help recognizing, she has made herself a power and practically taken into her own hands the heimof government. Like her mother, Maria Theresa, who said to the Hungarians: 'I am the king, Maria Theresa!' she has metaphorically said to the Keapolitans: 'I am the king, Marie Caroline!' " "Uod grant that, in thefao troublous times, she do not meet the fate of her unfortunate sister, Marie Antoinette," said Sertorius. "With her majesty, continued the chevalier, "are the 'ucnessa di San Lucca, the Marchesa Cinesca, the Marchosa della Croce, the Countessa Manam, and the others I don't know.but I would wager a round sum that their sames begin with an K." "VVhy?" asked Mario, curiously. "üeoause, as Mary Stuart would have only Marys for maids of honor, so Marie Caroline, in something the same way, will have none whose Christian name does not begin with E. An odd conceit! I believe she attaches some supnrstition to it - I don't know what. The lady in blue and white wil i tht frquis di Savigny, is the jh -a ivanti. It is a strange thing tiiü -. i is here to-night. Her brother, Cesare Angellotti, you remem ber, Mario, we saw arrested at the Cafe Dotti, the other night. By the way, I never found out for what" "She has a sweet face," said Marta. "Ves," said Mario, ' and there was something about Angelotii's face that I liked also." "These are desperate times we lire in," sighed old Sertorius. "To look on all these smiling faces, who would imagine war and dissenions were in our very midst?" ■'.ust, opposite to us," went on De Carnelles, "isthefamous Lady Hamilton, the wife of the Briti&h ambassador to Naples, and favorite of the Queen." "Oh! is that Lady Hamiltonv" said Marta, hurriedly. "There is something about her which fascinates me as' - with a shndder - "as a snaüce woud. I do not liUe her." "I cannot understand ' - began Cavaradossi. "Hush:" interrupted De Carnelles. "The curtain is rising on tht second ct."