Produced by David Widger
By Edward Bulwer-Lytton
The next day the guests at the Morleys' had assembled when Vane entered.His apology for unpunctuality was cut short by the lively hostess. "Yourpardon is granted without the humiliation of asking for it; we know thatthe characteristic of the English is always to be a little behindhand."
She then proceeded to introduce him to the American Minister, to adistinguished American poet, with a countenance striking for mingledsweetness and power, and one or two other of her countrymen sojourning atParis; and this ceremony over, dinner was announced, and she bade Grahamoffer his arm to Mademoiselle Cicogna.
"Have you ever visited the United States, Mademoiselle?" asked Vane, asthey seated themselves at the table.
"No."
"It is a voyage you are sure to make soon."
"Why so?"
"Because report says you will create a great sensation at the verycommencement of your career; and the New World is ever eager to welcomeeach celebrity that is achieved in the Old,—more especially that whichbelongs to your enchanting art."
"True, sir," said an American senator, solemnly striking into theconversation; "we are an appreciative people; and if that lady be as finea singer as I am told, she might command any amount of dollars."
Isaura coloured, and turning to Graham, asked him in a low voice if hewere fond of music.
"I ought of course to say 'yes,' answered Graham, in the same tone; "butI doubt if that 'yes' would be an honest one. In some moods, music—if akind of music I like—affects me very deeply; in other moods, not at all.And I cannot bear much at a time. A concert wearies me shamefully; evenan opera always seems to me a great deal too long. But I ought to addthat I am no judge of music; that music was never admitted into myeducation; and, between ourselves, I doubt if there be one Englishman infive hundred who would care for opera or concert if it were not thefashion to say he did. Does my frankness revolt you?"
"On the contrary, I sometimes doubt, especially of late, if I am fond ofmusic myself."
"Signorina,—pardon me,—it is impossible that you should not be. Geniuscan never be untrue to itself, and must love that in which it excels,that by which it communicates joy, and," he added, with a half-suppressedsigh, "attains to glory."
"Genius is a divine word, and not to be applied to a singer," said
Isaura, with a humility in which there was an earnest sadness.
Graham was touched and startled; but before he could answer, the AmericanMinister appealed to him across the table, asking if he had quotedaccurately a passage in a speech by Graham's distinguished father, inregard to the share which England ought to take in the political affairsof Europe.
The conversation now became general, very political and very serious.
Graham was drawn into it, and grew animated and eloquent.
Isaura listened to him with admiration. She was struck by what seemed toher a nobleness of sentiment which elevated his theme above the level ofcommonplace polemics. She was pleased to notice, in the attentivesilence of his intelligent listeners, that they shared the effectproduced on herself. In fact, Graham Vane was a born orator, and hisstudies had been those of a polit