[Gerfaut by Charles de Bernard]@TWC D-Link bookGerfaut CHAPTER XII 7/16
You understand that we must sacrifice ourselves to encourage them.
Besides, a duet for male voices is the thing to open a concert with." "A concert! has Madame de Bergenheim arranged to pasture us in this sheepfold in order to make use of us this evening ?" replied Gerfaut, whose ill-humor increased every moment. "Five or six pieces only, afterward they will have a dance.
I have an engagement with your diva; if you wish for a quadrille and have not yet secured your number, I should advise you to ask her for it now, for there are five or six dandies who seem to be terribly attentive to her. After our duet I shall sing the trio from La Date Blanche, with those young ladies who have eyes as round as a fish's, and apricot-colored gowns on--those two over there in the corner, near that pretty blonde who sat beside you at table and ogled you all the time.
She had already bored me to death! I do not know whether I shall be able to hit my low 'G' right or not.
I have a cataclysm of charlotte-russe in my stomach. Just listen: 'A cette complaisance!--'" Marillac leaned toward his friend and roared in his ear the note supposed to be the "G" in question. "Like an ophicleide," said Gerfaut, who could not help laughing at the importance the artist attached to his display of talent. "In that case I shall risk my great run at the end of the first solo. Two octaves from 'E' to 'E'! Zuchelli was good enough to give me a few points as to the time, and I do it rather nicely." "Madame would like to speak to Monsieur," said a servant, who interrupted him in the midst of his sentence. "Dolce, soave amor," warbled the artist, softly, as he responded to the call from the lady of the house, trying to fix in his mind that run, which he regarded as one of the most beautiful flowers in his musical crown. Everybody was seated, Madame de Bergenheim sat at the piano and Marillac stood behind her.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|