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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 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 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。
ISLAND OF BAHAMA； January 2。
VI
When Diotti left New York so
precipitately he took passage
on a coast line steamer sailing for the
Bahama Islands。 Once there； he leased
a small cay； one of a group off the main
land； and lived alone and unattended；
save for the weekly visits of an old
fisherman and his son； who brought
supplies of provisions from the town
miles away。 His dwelling…place；
surrounded with palmetto trees； was little
more than a rough shelter。 Diotti arose
at daylight； and after a simple repast；
betook himself to practise。 Hour after
hour he would let his muse run riot
with his fingers。 Lovingly he wooed
the strings with plaintive song； then
conquering and triumphant would be
his theme。 But neither satisfied him。
The vague dream of a melody more
beautiful than ever man had heard
dwelt hauntingly on the borders of his
imagination； but was no nearer realization
than when he began。 As the day's
work closed； he wearily placed the
violin within its case； murmuring；
‘‘Not yet； not yet； I have not found it。''
Days passed； weeks crept slowly
on； still he worked； but always
with the same result。 One day；
feverish and excited； he played on
in monotone almost listless。 His tired；
over…wrought brain denied a further
thought。 His arm and fingers refused
response to his will。 With an uncontrollable
outburst of grief and anger he
dashed the violin to the floor； where it
lay a hopeless wreck。 Extending his
arms he cried； in the agony of despair：
‘‘It is of no use！ If the God of heaven
will not aid me； I ask the prince of
darkness to come。''
A tall； rather spare； but well…made
and handsome man appeared at the
door of the hut。 His manner was that of
one evidently conversant with the usages
of good society。
‘‘I beg pardon；'' said the musician；
surprised and visibly nettled at the
intrusion； and then with forced politeness
he asked： ‘‘To whom am I indebted
for this unexpected visit？''
‘‘Allow me；'' said the stranger taking
a card from his case and handing
it to the musician； who read： ‘‘Satan；''
and； in the lower left…hand corner
‘‘Prince of Darkness。''
‘‘I am the Prince；'' said the stranger；
bowing low。
There was no hint of the pavement…
made ruler in the information he gave；
but rather of the desire of one gentleman
to set another right at the beginning。
The musician assumed a position
of open…mouthed wonder； gazing
steadily at the visitor。
‘‘Satan？'' he whispered hoarsely。
‘‘You need help and advice；'' said
the visitor； his voice sounding like that
of a disciple of the healing art； and
implying that he had thoroughly diagnosed
the case。
‘‘No； no；'' cried the shuddering
violinist； ‘‘go away。 I do not need you。''
‘‘I regret I can not accept that
statement as gospel truth；'' said Satan；
sarcastically； ‘‘for if ever a man needed
help； you are that man。''
‘‘But not from you；'' replied Diotti。
‘‘That statement is discredited also
by your outburst of a few moments ago
when you called upon me。''
‘‘I do not need you；'' reiterated the
musician。 ‘‘I will have none of you！''
and he waved his arm toward the door；
as if he desired the interview to end。
‘‘I came at your behest； actuated
entirely by kindness of heart；'' said Satan。
Diotti laughed derisively； and Satan；
showing just the slightest feeling at
Diotti's behavior； said reprovingly： ‘‘If
you will listen a moment； and not be so
rude to an utter stranger； we may reach
some conclusion to your benefit。''
‘‘Get thee behind''
‘‘I know exactly what you were about
to say。 Have no fears on that score。
I have no demands to make and no
impossible compacts to insist upon。''
‘‘I have heard of you before；'' know…
ingly spoke the violinist nodding his
head sadly。
‘‘No doubt you have；'' smilingly。
‘‘My reputation； which has suffered at
the hands of irresponsible people； is not
of the best； and places me at times in