The Quartier Latin Volume 6 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 Excerpt: ...she would stray in spirit (I could see) down the scented garden--only to be recalled by the last triumphant whoop of the accomplished singer and the usual, murmurous appreciations. By and by my hostess trundled over to her, and entreated her, in italics, to amuse the company--how I could not make out, and in any case I felt furious at my harmony being disturbed. The Harmony remonstrated in a sincerely serious and explanatory manner, which the other waved airily away--" Oh, it doesn't in the least signify I am sure it will be charming." And finally the Harmony, consenting, followed her affairce hostess leisurely across the room. How slight and diaphanous she looked by contrast with that burly, bedecked matron; how ostentatiously simple her muslin gown, her creamy bare hands how attractive But what was she about to do? Yes, she was going to spoil it all and recite Her name was: Moriarty. Flight I meditated. Such an infliction was more than I could tolerate. It was time to go, but ere I could carry out my resolve fate interposed. She had begun. The first lines, delivered in a penetrating, deep voice, set my heart suddenly and violently beating. It was one of my own poems, and moreover one of the very most advanced in a pioneer volume. I half-rose, my first, instinctive feeling was to stop her at all costs--" Not that one," was trembling into speech. But the next moment my whole mind was concentrated--strained with the anxiety to know how the precious lines would fare, if she would say them as they must be said. Would she lay the right stress where it should fall, thrill where thrill was essential; had her voice the passion, the range of music demanded by the poem? But directly I was at rest, and gave myself entirely up to the joy of hear...