you try to interest yourself in the operas
themselves rather than in the men on the stage? You may find it to be a
higher enjoyment, after all.

MISS COEURNE (in an undertone). I am too young.

GERARDO. Sacrifice yourself to music! (Comes forward and hands her the
photograph.) You are too young, but--may be you'll succeed in spite of
that. Do not see in me the famous singer, but the unworthy
tool in the hands of a master. Look around among the married women you
know; all of them Wagnerians! Study his librettos, learn to feel each
leitmotiv. That will keep you from committing indiscretions.

MISS COEURNE. I thank you.

GERARDO (escorts her out into the hall, rings for the valet in passing
through the door. Returns and picks up again the piano arrangement of
"Tristan and Isolde;" walks to the right). Come in!

Scene V

GERARDO. VALET.

VALET (panting and breathless). Yes, Sir? Your orders?

GERARDO. Are you standing at the door downstairs?

VALET. Not at present. Sir.

GERARDO. I can see as much--simpleton! But you won't let anybody come
up here, will you?

VALET. There were three ladies inquiring about you.

GERARDO. Don't you dare admit anybody, whatever they tell you.

VALET. Then there's another batch of letters.

GERARDO. Yes, never mind. (Valet puts letter on tray.) Don't you dare
admit anybody!

VALET (at the door). Very well. Sir.

GERARDO. Not even, if they should offer you an annuity for life.

VALET. Very well, Sir. [Exit.]

Scene VI

GERARDO.

GERARDO (alone, tries to sing). "Isolde! Beloved! Art thou ..." I
should think these women might get tired of me _some_ time! But, then,
the world holds so many of them! And I am only one. Well, everybody
bears his yoke and has to bear it! (Walks to the piano and strikes two
thirds.)

[Illustration: SIEGFRIED WAGNER]

FROM OLAF GULBRANSSON'S "FAMOUS CONTEMPORARIES"
Permission Albert Langen, Munich

SCENE VII

GERARDO. PROFESSOR DUeHRING. Later a piano teacher.

Professor Duehring, seventy years old, dressed in black, long, white
beard, his aquiline nose tinged with red, suggesting fondness for wine,
gold ringed spectacles, frock coat and silk hat, carries the score of
an opera under his arm, enters without knocking.

GERARDO (turning arou