the fifth string-第5节
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The ‘‘they'' of Perkins comprised
rival managers； rival artists； newspaper
critics and everybody at large
who would not concede that the
attractions managed by Perkins were the
‘‘greatest on earth。''
‘‘We'll never see his like again
come in！'' this last in answer to a knock。
Diotti appeared at the open door。
Perkins jumped like one shot from a
catapult； and rushing toward the silent
figure in the doorway exclaimed： ‘‘Bless
my soul； are you a ghost？''
‘‘A substantial one；'' said Diotti with
a smile。
‘‘Are you really here？'' continued
the astonished impresario； using Diotti's
arm as a pump handle and pinching
him at the same time。
When they were seated Perkins plied
Diotti with all manner of questions；
‘‘How did it happen？'' ‘‘How did you
escape？'' and the like； all of which Diotti
parried with monosyllabic replies； finally
saying： ‘‘I was dissatisfied with my
playing and went away to study。''
‘‘Do you know that the failure to fulfill
your contract has cost me at least ten
thousand dollars？'' said the shrewd
manager； the commercial side of his
nature asserting itself。
‘‘All of which I will pay；'' quietly
replied the artist。 ‘‘Besides I am ready
to play now； and you can announce a
concert within a week if you like。''
‘‘If I like？'' cried the hustling Perkins。
‘‘Here； James；'' calling his office
boy； ‘‘run down to the printer's
and give him this；'' making a note of
the various sizes of ‘‘paper'' he desired；
‘‘and tell Mr。 Tompkins that Diotti is
back and will give a concert next Tuesday。
Tell Smith to prepare the newspaper
‘ads' and notices immediately。''
In an hour Perkins had the entire
machinery of his office in motion。
Within twenty…four hours New York
had several versions of the disappearance
and return； all leading to one
common pointthat Diotti would give
a concert the coming Tuesday evening。
The announcement of the reappearance
of the Tuscan contained a line
to the effect that the violinist would play
for the first time his new suitea
meditation on the emotions。
He had not seen Mildred。
As he came upon the stage that night
the lights were turned low； and naught
but the shadowy outlines of player and
violin were seen。 His reception by the
audience was not enthusiastic。 They
evidently remembered the disappointment
caused by his unexpected disappearance；
but this unfriendly attitude
soon gave way to evidences of kindlier
feelings。
Mildred was there； more beautiful
than ever； and to gain her love Diotti
would have bartered his soul that moment。
The first movement of the suite was
entitled ‘‘Pity；'' and the music flowed
like melodious tears。 A subdued sob
rose and fell with the sadness of the
theme。
Mildred's eyes were moistened as
she fixed them on the lone figure of the
player。
Now the theme of pity changed to
hope； and hearts grew brighter under the
spell。 The next movement depicted joy。
As the virtuoso's fingers darted here and
there； his music seemed the very laughter
of fairy voices； the earth looked roses
and sunshine； and Mildred； relaxing her
position and leaning forward in the box；
with lips slightly parted； was the picture
of eager happiness。
The final movement came。 Its subject
was love。 The introduction depicted
the Arcadian beauty of the
trysting place； love…lit eyes sought each
other intuitively and a great peace
brooded over the hearts of all。 Then
followed the song of the Passionate Pilgrim：
‘‘If music and sweet poetry agree；
As they must needs； the sister and the brother；
When must the love be great 'twixt thee and me
Because thou lov'st the one； and I the other。
***
Thou lov'st to hear the sweet melodious sound
That Phoebus' lute （the queen of music） makes；
And I in deep delight； am chiefly drown'd
When as himself to singing he betakes。
One god is god of both； as poets
One knight loves both； and both in thee remain。''
Grander and grander the melody
rose； voicing love's triumph with wondrous
sweetness and palpitating rhythm。
Mildred； her face flushed with excitement；
a heavenly fire in her eyes and in
an attitude of supplication； reveled in
the glory of a new found emotion。
As the violinist concluded his
performance an oppressive silence pervaded
the house； then the audience； wild with
excitement； burst into thunders of
applause。 In his dressing…room Diotti
was besieged by hosts of people；
congratulating him in extravagant terms。
Mildred Wallace came； extending her
hands。 He took them almost reverently。
She looked into his eyes； and
he knew he had struck the chord responsive
in her soul。
VIII
The sun was high in the heavens
when the violinist awoke。 A great
weight had been lifted from his heart；
he had passed from darkness into dawn。
A messenger brought him this note：
My Dear Signor DiottiI am at home this
afternoon； and shall be delighted to see you and
return my thanks for the exquisite pleasure you
gave me last evening。 Music； such as yours；
is indeed the voice of heaven。 Sincerely；
Mildred Wallace。
The messenger returned with this reply：
My Dear Miss WallaceI will call at three to…day。
Gratefully；
Angelo Diotti。
He watched the hour drag from eleven
to twelve； then counted the minutes to
one； and from that time until he left the
hotel each second was tabulated in his
mind。 Arriving at her residence； he
was ushered into the drawing…room。 It
was fragrant with the perfume of violets；
and he stood gazing at her portrait
expectant of her coming。
Dressed in simple white； entrancing
in her youthful freshness； she entered；
her face glowing with happiness； her
eyes languorous and expressive。 She
hastened to him； offering both hands。
He held them in a loving； tender grasp；
and for a moment neither spoke。 Then
she； gazing clearly and fearlessly into
his eyes； said： ‘‘My heart has found its
melody！''
He； kneeling like Sir Gareth of old：
‘‘The song and the singer are yours
forever。 ''
She； bidding him arise： ‘‘And I forever
yours。'' And wondering at her
boldness； she added； ‘‘I know and feel
that you love meyour eyes confirmed
your love before you spoke。'' Then；
convincingly and ingenuously； ‘‘I knew
you loved me the moment we first met。
Then I did not understand what that
meant to you； now I do。''
He drew her gently to him； and the
motive of their happiness was defined
in sweet confessions： ‘‘My love； my
lifeMy life； my love。''
The magic of his music had changed
her very being； the breath of love was
in her soul； the vision of love was dancing
in her eyes。 The child of marble；
like the statue of old； had come to life：
‘‘And not long since
I was a cold； dull stone！ I recollect
That by some means I knew that I was stone；
That was the first dull gleam of consciousness；
I became conscious of a chilly self；
A cold； immovable identity。
I knew that I was stone； and knew no more！
Then； by an imperceptible advance；
Came the dim evidence of outer things；
Seendarkly and imperfectlyyet seen
The walls surrounding me； and I； alone。
That pedestalthat curtainthen a voice
That called on Galatea！ At that word；
Which seemed to shake my marble to the core；
That which was dim before； came evident。
Sounds； that had hummed around me； indistinct；
Vague； meaninglessseemed to resolve themselves
Into a language I could understand；
I felt my frame pervaded by a glow
That seemed to thaw my marble into flesh；
Its cold； hard substance throbbed with active life；
My limbs grew supple； and I movedI lived！
Lived in the ecstasy of a new…born life！
Lived in the love of him that fashioned me！
Lived in a thousand tangled thoughts of hope。''
Day after day he came； they told their
love； their hopes； their ambitions。 She
assumed absolute proprietorship in him。
She gloried in her possession。
He was born into the world； nurtured
in infancy； trained in childhood and
matured into manhood； for one express
purposeto be hers alone。 Her
ownership ranged from absolute despotism
to humble slavery； and he was happy
through it all。
One day she said： ‘‘Angelo； is it your purpose
to follow your profession always？''
‘‘Necessarily； it is my livelihood；'' he replied。
‘‘But do you not think that after we
stand at the altar； we never should be
separated？''
‘‘We will be together always；'' said
he； holding her face between his palms；
and looking with tender expression into
her inquiring eyes。
‘‘But I notice that women cluster
around you after your concertsand
shake your hand longer than they
shouldand talk to you longer than
they shouldand go away looking self…
satisfied！'' she rep
