through the room and repeatedly blocks his attempt to
reach the door). You do not comprehend me. You cannot comprehend me.
How could you have had the time to comprehend me! Fifty years of
fruitless labor, Sir, that is more than you can comprehend, if one has
been a favorite child of fortune like you. But I'll try to make you
realize it approximately, at least. You see, I am too old to take my
own life. The proper time to do that is at twenty-five, and I have
missed my opportunity. I must live out my life now, my hand has grown
too unsteady. But would you know what an old man like me will do! You
ask me how I got in here. You have put your valet on guard at the hotel
entrance. I did not try to slip by him, I've known for fifty years what
he will tell me: the gentleman is not in. But with my score here I
stood at the corner of the building for two hours in the rain until he
went up for a moment. Then I followed him, and while you were speaking
to him in here, I concealed myself on the staircase--I need not tell
you where. And then, when he had gone down again, I entered here.
That's what a man of my years will do to reach one who might be his
grandson. Please, Sir, please, let not this moment be without result
for me even though it cost you a day, even though it cost you a whole
week. It will be to your advantage as well as mine. A week ago, when
you came to town on your starring tour, you promised me to let me play
my opera to you; and since that time I've called every day. You either
were rehearsing or had lady visitors. And now you are about to depart,
which would mean that an old man like me in vain spent a whole week
standing around in the street! And all it would cost you is a single
word: "I will sing your Hermann." Then my opera will be performed. Then
you will thank God for my intrusiveness, for--you sing "Siegfried,"
you sing "Florestan"--but you haven't in your repertory a more grateful
part, one more adapted to a singer of your resources than that of
"Hermann." Then with loud acclaim they will draw me out of my
obscurity, and perhaps I'll have the opportunity of giving to the world
at least a part of what I might have given, if it had not cast me out
like a leper. But the great material gain resulting from my long
struggle will not be mine, you alone will ...

GERARDO (having given up the attempt to stop his visitor, leans on the
mantle piece of the fireplace. While drumming on the marble slab with
his right