Elsie's Art Life. A novel

Front matter

a novel KY (MRS.) A. M. DIEHL AUTHOR OF ' THE GARDEN OF EDEN,' ETC. IN THREE VOLUMES VOL. I. LONDON RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON •PtttiUslurs in ©rbinarg to gtjtr Jiajtstg the tytutn 1893 [All rights reserved} CONTENTS OF VOL. I. CHAPTER PAGE I. FATE - - - - - 1 II. THE DISCOVERY OF A GENIUS - - 40 III. FRIENDSHIP OR LOVE ? - - - 81 iv. elsie ..--- 133 V. THE DINNER AT THE COURT - - 163 VI. HIS FIRST LIE - 221 VII. AMATEURS AT PLAY - - - - 249 VIII. A PEEP BEHIND THE SCENES - -

Chapter I. Fate

' Carlo — Lirani ? Surely you don't mean to invite that fellowhere ?' Frank Clare looked at his wife inquiringly, almost incredulously. ' Why not V ' Only the other day you were laughing at Lady St. Ives' infatuation.' ' I laughed at her, not at him.' ' But Avhy on earth ask him here ? He is no musician — and I object to him. He is a cad.' Mr. Clare spoke acidly, for him. He was standing with his back to the fire in his Aviso's boudoir, where he had just breakfasted VOL. i. Avith her : although it was but early Sep tember, Lady Georgina had fires in her rooms morning and evening. The spoilt beauty — Avife a comparatively few months only — had lived much abroad, and felt, or affected to feel, the climate of her native country damp and chill. Now, although she flushed slightly at her husband's Avords, she gave a little shiver and drew nearer to the blaze. ' What a vulgar expression,' she said. ' And as for saying Lirani is no musician, he is a downright Italian genius — a poet in his way.' ' You said you learned very little from him Avhen he gave you lessons once.' ' Only the other day your oracle Barra Avas saying geniuses could seldom teach : he said something about " Pegasus at the plough."

Hoav I do hate that old man and his bombast !' Frank Clare compressed his lips. ' He is old,' he said sarcastically. ' Your — and the other silly women's — Eastern hero happens to be young.' ' I did not know Italy was in the East,' said ' Lady Georgie,' as her friends called the popular beauty. A DISCUSSION 3 She Avas nettled at her husband's mention of herself Avith the ' silly Avomen ' he despised, but for her oavii reasons meant to keep her temper. ' Your " Lirani " as you call him is as much of an Italian as I am, Georgie. You must let me scratch him off the list. I cannot have him here.' ' Who is to accompany — and arrange everything ?' ' Lora. I spoke to him before Ave left toAvn. I told you at the time.' Lady Georgina bit her lip. ' I told you I had a note from him ; he has had to go back to Italy.

His sister is dying, or something,' she said. ' Georgie, this is the first time I have heard of it, and you knoAv it.' Frank Clare spoke coldly ; Avhen he Avas annoyed, his manner chilled. He Avalked to the windoAv and gazed out at the expanse of soft green laAvn surrounded by spreading chestnuts and beeches, Avhere the gardeners Avere SAveeping up a golden harvest of dying leaves and rolling the velvet turf. At that moment he felt he would have changed lots with any one of those men, for although often before an undefinable misgiving had arisen in his mind that the lovely but fortuneless Lady Georgina might have been partially tempted to accept him for her husband because of his AA-ealth, at this moment he made acquaintance with some thing far worse, with a horrible monster, — a monster Avho makes short Avork of marital happiness, and all other happiness which comes within reach of his Aroracious jaw-s — that ferocious dragon, jealousy. ' I am fifteen years older than she is,' he AA-as thinking. ' What a fool I Avas to care for her !

How can she care for me ?' Lady Georgie Avas leaning back in her chair, ostensibly scanning the list of the house-party she had im-ited for the shooting season, but really in dread lest her husband should quash her plan — a plan she had been gradually forming for months — to get Lirani, the fashionable tenor w-ith Avhom she had been infatuated before she had brouo-ht her self to marry Frank Clare, under her roof. When she married she had promised herself her freedom as regarded one man only, Carlo Lirani, as he called himself, the hand some HebreAv Avho had first seen the light over a fried-fish shop in the East End, but Avho by his talents and perseverance had ROMANTIC IDEAS 5 raised himself into the position of pet vocalist of the best amateur musical circles. She intended to pose as Lirani's Egeria, the Beatrice to his Dante, the unattainable star AAdiich Avould shine upon his fortunes, bright if impossible.

Everything Avas to be purity itself. The intimacy Avas to be superlatively Platonic, whatever that might mean. (Lady Georgie had bought JoAvett's ' Plato ' and pored over the dialogues till her head ached, but failed to discover the theory of blameless affection betAveen the opposite sexes popularly ascribed to the philosopher.) Yes, it was to be absolutely Platonic, and the foolish girl even cherished the notion that her admiration for Lirani (that, in plain terms, Avas the Platonic affection) Avould become a celebrated friendship, that Lirani and she might even live in the prose and A-erse of after generations. What Lirani thought and felt Avill appear by-and-by. This was a crucial moment. Frank Clare, honest, simple, and clever, Avas universally respected, and his giddy self-Avilled young Avife Avas just a little afraid, not so much of himself personally, but of Avhat the world would say if she opposed his will.

And his will Avas strong. What w-as she to do to gain her point ? ' Look here, Frank,' she said, in a vexed tone, ' you are not like yourself, making such a fuss over a trifle. Everyone has Lirani to stay. He Avrote to me from Bognor, Avhere the Heathcotes had taken a house for Good wood.' ' What Avas he doing there V said Clare, surprised into speaking in his ordinary tone. ' Sir Harry can't bear music' ' The girls can't live Avithout him. ' ' Not liA-e Avithout their music-master for a Aveek ! The way you women go on about that objectionable felloAv is posit iA-ely sickening. ' When Lora wrote, I thought of him directly,' said Lady Georgie indifferently. ' They say he likes a good substantial cheque, and you pay your artists so Avell. You see I promised Lady St. Ives to give Lirani a lift whenever I could.' She took up the morning paper and seemed to be interested.

Clare gazed at her, ques tioning his feelings. He Avondered if he was not indeed making a mountain of a molehill. If Lora could not come, someone must. As one ofthe leading English amateur GEORGIE'S REPROACHES 7 musicians, good music in the evenings Avas expected by his guests, who were mostly patrons, and invariably admirers of the art. A first-rate accompanist Avas a necessity. ' It is not Lirani I object to so much, although I think his songs trash, and don't care for tbe man personally,' he began. ' I was put out because you have made your own arrangements Avithout consulting me. You remember, dear,' he added more gently, returning to the hearthrug, and thinking how lovely Georgie looked as she leaned back in her chair, the curves of her graceful form just indicated by her pale blue peignoir, her curly golden-broAA-n hair tied together by a blue ribbon, and her exquisite complexion reminding hhn of a sea-shell, or a pale pink rose, or any other delicately-hued natural object, ' I am sure you recollect how w*e promised each other never to act separately — to consult each other in everything.' ' Oh yes,' she said disdainfully, pouting her full red lips ; ' it is all very well to say that now.

But who refused to come with me to Beatrice's to choose my gown for the Dorchesters' ball ? And Avho left me to buy Snubby all by myself? Do look at Snubby, Frank. He is staring at you as if he would let you know Avhat he thinks of you if he could only speak.' Snubby was a flat-faced, black-nosed pug, Avhose tail curled tightly and strictly to the left of his sleek back, and who Avas staring at his master Avith a curiously disgusted expression in his beady black eyes, refusing to be stroked Avhen Frank stooped to pat him, and stalking off with dignity to sulk behind his mistress's chair. Small causes provoke great effects. In after years Lady Georgie remembered that little scene when Snubby, by changing the current of his master's thoughts, smoothed the Avay to the fulfilment of her whim (for at that time it was scarcely more), and Avished that Snubby had been in his grave in the shrubbery before he had been the unconscious actor in her life's tragedy.

As it was, little dreaming of the future, her spirits rose as she found her husband giving AA'ay to her. She acquiesced in his suggestion of Lirani's immediate dismissal as soon as the musical members of the house party departed, and, triumphant, went off to dress for her drive into the neighbouring town, having coaxed Frank to come Avith her part of the way. HUSBAND AND WIFE 9 She Avas so charming in her brown tailor made gOAvn, as she took her seat in her dainty phaeton, and smiled sweetly upon him as she guided her spirited little gray ponies along the winding shrubbery drive, that Frank Clare felt inclined to be cajoled into the slavish humour of the honeymoon days, Avhen he said and did much that he had regretted since. Georgie, seeing the old lover-look in his eyes, tried to persuade him to accompany her shopping.

She was ahvays ' shopping.' Her wealth was the neAv toy of Avhich she had not yet tired. But Frank rallied his senses. ' I made an appointment Avith Viccars the organist,' be said. ' Break it,' she suggested. ' My dear ! Remember we are new to the people here ' (he had come into the property just before he proposed to Lady Georgie) ; 'Ave must be careful not to offend.' ' They depend on us, not we on them.' ' Noblesse oblige,' said Frank lightly. (Al ready he was becoming accustomed to Georgie's selfishness, the first revelation of Avhich had been a shock to him.) 'You can put me doAvn at the corner of the lane.' A lane Avith tangled hedges led to the churchyard gate. Georgie, Avith a charming pout, drew up, and shook her head at her husband as he turned, after alighting, to watch her drive off. ' Take care of yourself,' he cried, as the ponies trotted off, and she gave a little sigh of relief as she settled herself in the dri\-ing seat: for she was bound for the telegraph office to Avire to Lirani to come as soon as possible.

When he Avas once safely in the house, he would ingratiate himself. She would give him a broad hint to win over Mr. Clare as he had Avon OA-er a good many people Avho had mistrusted him and his fascinations. ' He is so clever, he can manage Frank, I believe,' thought the silly girl, AA-ho had only to conceiA-e an idea in her illogical mind to have faith in it, as she sped on to execute the first clandestine deed of her married life. If he could have read her aright — well, his heart could scarcely haA'e been heavier than it Avas as he opened the rustic gate and, entering the churchyard, gazed at the little ivy covered church, AA-hich — although the livino was in his gift, and the very land on Avhich he stood Avas his oavii — he had seen but once HIS FORTUNE 11 before, Avhen he folloAved his aged cousin, the misanthropist and recluse, to the graA-e. Then, he Avas a nobody, a comparatiA-ely poor and hard-Avorking barrister, Avho could not afford matrimony or superfluities of any kind.

He had Avondered why he was asked to the funeral by old Mr. Clare's solicitors, since Mr. Clare, who had seen him as a boy, and had offered to adopt him (proA-ided that his widow-ed mother, whom he disliked, renounced him entirely), had been so offended by his mother's refusal that he had cut them both dead from that moment. As for dreaming that he Avas his eccentric old cousin's heir — he had listened to the reading of the will, wondering A-aguely who the young man might be whose name was the same as his own, Francis Clare — and Avhen the laAA-yers congratulated him, and all the disappointed relations stared at him as if he Avere some new specimen of Avild beast, he had actually laughed. ' I assure you it is a mistake,' he had said to e\-eryone ; and eA-en Avhen the solicitor proved to him that Francis Clare, the heir, was himself, he thought it was some grim jest of the old man's at his mother's ex pense — all the grimmer because that mother, whom Frank dearly loved, Avas at that time sloAvly dying of an incurable disease. ' Another will must be forthcoming if you look for it,' he assured the laAvyers, and with such conviction that they began to think that, as the will Avas signed six months previously, there might be something in Mr. Clare's suggestion.

So search and investiga tion Avent on briskly until there was no doubt that the one Avill knoAvn to them Avas the will, and no other ; and, shortly before his mother's death, Frank Clare found he had to accept the responsible position of an almost millionaire, Avith several estates, Avith shares in all the flourishing schemes afloat, and Avith scores of middle - class relations to Avhom he, the interloper, Avas a natural object of detestation. Alone, shunning the sympathy of former acquaintances, Avhose friendship his limited means had not allowed him to cultivate, little Avonder that Lady Georgie, whose father had been intimate Avith old Mr. Clare, Avith her winning manner and in sinuating beauty, Avon first his admiration, then his complete faith, then the whole love of his yearning, deep, and silent nature.

Did she Avin it, or was it the ideal of IN THE CHURCHYARD 13 womanhood he fancied he had found realized in her to which he gaATe his heart ? During the months of disenchantment since their marriage he had begun to suspect that the real Georgie — the shallow, sensuous, selfish Avoman of fashion — would not break his heart, because it was to quite another Georgie he had given it — a being Avho existed in his imagination alone. Thus he grew placid and indifferent as the months AA-ore on. ' She could not help it, poor girl !' he told himself. ' It was not her fault that I mistook her for something Avhich does not exist on the face ofthe earth.' He A\-as beginning to believe that all women Avere more or less of Georgie's calibre, and to be resigned to the fact. ' I ought to have mixed with them more, then I should not have made such an ass of myself,' he thought gloomily, as once more his thoughts travelled over that tire some road, his disenchanting life. ' And yet — to see the epitaphs — one would think they were angels, too good for daily Avear and tear.' And he smiled somewhat sardoni cally as he strolled round and read those epitaphs on the tombstones, wrhere all the Avives were recorded as dearly Wed and everlastingly mourned by their broken hearted and bereaved spouses, and the girls Avho died in their early Avomanhood were absolutely deified. ' And if the truth were knoAvn, I dare say they Avere as deceitful, or nearly as deceitful, as the rest,' he thought. ' Girls !

Is there anything on the face of the earth so palpably commonplace, mean, and selfish as a girl V He looked up Avith a sigh of disgust, as he thought of the girls he should be bound to entertain during the next feAv Aveeks. ' After all, that Lirani will be a boon in one Avay — he Avill attract those girl gadflies Avith his honeyed humbug,' he mused ; and just as he thought of Lirani he heard the sound Avhich of all others had power over his senses, his intellect — even to the Aveakening of his naturally strong Avill — the sound of music. It came from within — from the church. At first it Avas a mere snatch of melody which rose and died aAvay on the rising Avind that played with the dead leaves among the graves, and fluttered the long sprays of ivy Avhich dangled from the eaves of the porch.

Then the clock struck tAvelve — sloAvly, with the hoarse tAvang of cracked metal. The air began again, softly, as from afar, and ' THE PILGRIM'S MARCH' 15 Avith straining ears, and heart beating a little faster from the surprise — for music came to him noAv even as the reproachful voice of one loved and lost breaking in suddenly upon a hard, relentless mood — he listened and recognised the first bars of his favourite andante in Mendelssohn's ' Italian Sym phony.' He stood spellbound, listening, Avondering, as the solemn, tender strains floated out with lofty, poetic meaning. ' Good heavens !' he thought, amazed. ' The arguments I have had with orchestral conductors, and with Mendelssohn's pupils ! I trying to prove that Mendelssohn never intended that as a " Pilgrim's March " — and noAv, hearing it played by a country organist in a country church, it refutes me — it tells me itself its meaning ' He listened intently, and as he listened he seemed to see a procession of white robed pilgrims marching patiently onward — pilgrims of all ages, from golden - haired babes, Avho hung to their mothers' skirts, to hoary aged men tottering bravely onward, leaning on their staffs — some staggering painfully, weary, and footsore ; some walking lightly, buoyantly even ; others marching evenly, but passively, their eyes upon the ground.

But all that had life in their gait had their upturned faces glorified by the setting sun ; and as it were gazing towards it himself in this semi-vision, he saAV that against the red glory of the AVestern sky stood the Cross — the plain black cross, which was the goal of old, young, of footsore and hopeful alike ; then the music died away, and Avith it the mental picture, and he was there in the chill, green God's Acre, the ivy SAvaying limply at his side, a young robin perched opposite on an old gray tombstone, attempting its first twittering song. ' What is the matter with me V he thought, SAvalloAving doAvn a lump in his throat. ' A month ago I sat at the opera, hearing all those great singers. I saAV the great Teresa in " Fidelio " unmoA-ed, and the Avoes of Margherita and the villainy of Mephisto seemed stale, flat, and unprofitable.

I come into the heart of the most rural region of England, where Art is unknown, and I melt into rhapsodies at a slow move ment of a hackneyed symphony played by a tenth-rate organist on a village church organ. What do I say ? The man is a genius. Ah, he is that rare thing — a born IN THE CHURCH 17 musician, to Avhom music is the natural expression of his poetic mind, as words are to the human being — as its uncertain twittering is to that young robin !' The church-door stood open ; he Avalked in. It Avas a small, w-hitewashed old church, cruciform in shape. Over the communion table was a picture — a copy of the ' Descent from the Cross.' This, with a feAv mural tablets, Avas all the decoration of the simple building. The pulpit and reading-desk were of stained Avood ; Avorm-eaten high pews remained, record of good old protesting times ; and in the corner was the organ — a humble instrument, from Avhich, as he sneaked into one of the peAvs, he turned aAvay his head, half-ashamed that the music proceeding from such a musical instrument should haA-e so deeply affected him.

He listened, but did not hear anyone speaking. The bloAver Avas evidently at work. ' It is Viccars ; he is ready for me,' he thought. : I said a quarter past twelve. Georoie is given to dawdling o\*er breakfast ; he is here before me. A musician like that cannot keep his fingers off the keys, of course !' vol. I. Vague notions of Avhat he might do, or might not do, Avith and for this musical village Hampden, to prevent his Avasting his SAA'eet ness on the desert air of a remote hamlet, Avere forming themselves in his mind — Avhen the organ struck up again, and his attention Avas riveted by a prelude of Bach, played in so masterly a style that it positiA-ely took his breath away. ' Am I aAvake ?' he asked himself, as he stood up and peered o\*er the top of the peAA*. ' It cannot be Viccars.

It is some great organist passing through the place ; yet a SAvell player Avouldn't condescend to touch such an old ruin of an organ. I dare say that's a G pedal, and the AAThite keys are black, and the black white. It Avould need the most intimate acquaintance Avith the old Avreck to play that prelude on it.' He Avas still more astonished Avhen the prelude ended, and the fugue Avas performed Avith an unconscious ease, Avhatever difficulties the shortcomings of the organ created being so deftly arranged for that no hiatus Avas audible. He could Avait no loncer, but Avas marching up to the organ when he started — the music suddenly stopped with a crash on the keys, and someone gave a scream. A SURPRISE ■9 He stood staring as the red curtains around the organ-loft Avere drawn back with a jerk and a face appeared — a pale face Avith round black eyes that stared as Avildly at him as a cat's might stare at a dog. ' Oh dear !

I beg your pardon,' he began, advancing Avith a little boAv ; ' but I came to see Mr. Viccars ' He stopped short. The curtains were jerked together. The face disappeared. He thought the possessor of those startled eyes Avould appear and answer his question, but he waited one minute — two — several more, and beyond a soft scuffle after the curtains were violently shut in his face he heard nothing but the spasmodic shuffling of some one. He went round and saw a boy sitting on a stool by the bellows munching a hunch of bread and cheese. ' Is Mr. Viccars here ?' he asked. The boy stared and SAvallowed his mouthful in a gulp. ' No, he ain't,' he said. ' Who was that playing, then ?' he said. ' Who was that a-playin' ?' repeated the lad sullenly. ' Yes. Can't you answer a plain ques tion V ' Dunno,' said the boy, taking another bite at his dinner. ' Was that Mr. Viccars playing just now V asked Clare, half irritated, half amused.

His spirits were rising. Of late he had suffered from ennui, w-hich had been lifted by the newness of his sensations during the last quarter of an hour. ' No. It were miss a-playin',' said the boy, betAveen his munches. What miss ?' ' Miss,' said the lad, evidently disgusted. Clare gazed at him, then hearing footsteps on the pavement of the church, AA-ent hastily back and met a fair little man Avith blue spectacles, Avho was hurrying up the aisle. He had music-books under his arm. ' Mr. Clare ?' he asked nervouslv. Indeed, meeting the great man of the neighbourhood, the shy little organist flushed up to the roots of his close-cropped hair. ' Yes. Mr. Viccars, I suppose ?' ' At your service, Mr. Clare. I am afraid I must be unpunctual ' ' I AA-as too early,' said Frank amiably. He felt disposed to like Mr. Viccars, possibly the brother of the palefaced ' miss.' Then glancing at his watch, ' It is barely the THE ORGANIST 21 quarter past,' he added. ' And I have had a great pleasure, quite a surprise, indeed.

I have heard someone play — your sister, per haps ?' ' Oh no,' said the little man, looking strangely hurt and confused. ' I have no sister — no relations except my old mother, Avho lives with me. I suppose you heard Miss Gerhard. You are a great musician yourself, sir, I hear. I dare say you have heard Mr. Gerhard's music ? They were doing a trio of his at the Norwood Amateur Glee Society the other day, and the Hendon and sometimes the St. Albans Musical Societies do them also, I am told.' ' I seem to have heard the name,' said Clare, biting his lip to conceal a smile at this rustic naivete. He, Clare, the patron ofthe opera-houses and great musical societies, expected to know of the existence of a Gerhard Avho Avrote for Hendon and Nor- Avood ! Unworldly little man ! ' What rela tion is this Mr. Gerhard to the young lady Avho played ? — your organ-blower called her " Miss " to me,' he asked. ' Mr. Gerhard is her father,' said Viccars, Avho looked depressed.

It was rather hard upon the organist, who had been on the tiptoe of expectation since Mr. Clare had written to him making an appointment to hear him play, and Avho had thereupon in vested in a new suit he could ill afford, to find himself forestalled by Elsie Gerhard, whom he adored for herself AA-hile he could not help half hating her for the ease AA-ith which she surmounted difficulties impossible to him, in spite of all his hard study and patient plodding. ' She is a wonderful girl,' he added honestly. ' I am glad you have heard her by chance, Mr. Clare, for she is so eccentric, and so excessiA-ely shy, she Avill hardly look at anyone, much less play to people. She would rather run away miles.' ' She ran aAvay from me.' said Frank, amused. ' When she caught sight of me she screamed.' ' Hoav like her !' said little Viccars, his spirits evidently reA-iA-ing. ' You did not speak to her, then ?' ' I did not even see her,' said he, laughing. ' A Avhite face Avith black eyes stared out, then the curtains Avere shut in my face.

I felt quite snubbed.' ' She has no manners !' began Viccars apologetically. ' Geniuses seldom have — at least, they THE OLD ORGAN 23 make their own laAvs,' said Clare lightly. He felt disinclined for apologies from the little man for that glorious musical creature Avith the Avitchlike face. (He remembered now — it was a witchlike face.) ' Come, Mr. Viccars. ShoAv me your organ, and let me have the pleasure of hearing you try it.' ' I cannot play like Elsie Gerhard, Mr. Clare,' said the little man deprecatingly ; ' but I should like you to see the organ.' And he led the Avay to the organ-loft. Clare looked round curiously as he stepped into the little recess lately occupied by a musical Undine. Had he expected to find her there ? He must have done so, for he felt disappointed at the sight of the empty bench, the scattered music. ' There is another door, then ?' he said, as Viccars stooped to pick up the loose sheets. ' Another door to the church ?

There are two, one from the vestry, one in the chancel,' said Viccars, Avith a little sigh. What chance had he, Avhen Elsie's playing had made this impression upon Mr. Clare, whose wrord Avas law in the place, just as old Mr. Clare's had been ? The next thing Avould be he Avould be Avanting Elsie Gerhard for organist. 'Will you try the instrument yourself?' he asked ruefully. ' I really don't like to play after Miss Gerhard. It is a poor old organ, nice tone enough, but so decrepit ; still, somehow, it will do anything for her, just as if it was alive, and knew.' He looked wistfully over his blue spectacles at Clare, and that touch of simple sentiment Avon him a friend for ever. ' Nonsense ! You must try it. Play me anything — a hymn, a chant, one of your own voluntaries,' said Clare, almost familiarly, seating himself on the bench by Viccars' side.

Could it be true that Mr. Clare was treat ing him, the organist, in such a friendly fashion — in a manner, indeed, that his vicar, Mr. Wood, would never do if he lived to be a hundred ? Flattered, delighted, the organist played one of Wely's offertories, simply, un obtrusively, and Avith such evident misgiving, that he completed the favourable impression he had made on a man Avho, Avith all his out- Avard calm, Avas an artist Avithin — and there fore volcanic in temper. ' Good,' said Clare Avarmly, as Viccars removed his thin fingers from the manuals. Then, laying his hand kindly on the young AN EVENTFUL STROLL 25 man's shoulder : ' You deserve a better organ, Mr. Viccars,' he said. ' I must speak to Mr. Wood about it.' ' You are too kind,' said Viccars, half afraid of this sudden good fortune. ' But if you do, sir, you Avill not let Mr. Wood think I have been complaining, Avill you ?