ll.
In England we have turned away from the hill-top and are huddled
together in the valleys until beauty is lost and dreams are but aching
memories....'

Clara was irritated by this preamble. It was too much like the spirit
of Sir Henry Butcher. If only Charles had consulted her she would have
cut out this ambitious bombast, and brought him down to practical
detail.

'My proposal is that we should erect upon one of three suitable sites
in London a theatre which shall be at once a school and a palace of
art. There will be one theatre on the German model, and an outdoor
theatre on the plan of an arena in Sicily of which I have here sketches
and plans.'

'Is that quite suitable in the English climate?' asked Adolph
Griffenberg, a little Jewish painter.

'The disabilities of the English climate are greatly exaggerated,' said
Charles. 'There could be protection from wind and rain, if it were
thought necessary. There will be attached to the indoor theatre an
experimental stage to which I of course shall devote most of my
energies; then schoolrooms, a kitchen, a dining-room, a dancing-room, a
music-room, a wardrobe, three lifts and two staircases.'

'Isn't this too detailed for our present purpose?' asked Griffenberg.

'I merely wish to show that I am entirely practical,' retorted Charles.
'There will be every modern appliance upon the stage, several
inventions of my own, and an adjustable proscenium. The staff will
consist of myself, a dozen instructors in the various arts of the
theatre, and a larger number of pupils, who will be promoted as they
give evidence of talent and skill in employing it.'

So far attention had been keen and eager. Charles's happy vision of a
marble temple lit with the inward sun of vision and rosy with youth had
carried all before it. He warmed to his task, talked on as the candles
burned low, and at last came to the financial aspect of his proposal.
Griffenberg leaned forward, and Clara watched him apprehensively.

'I have estimated the cost as follows,' said Charles, now confident
that he had his hearers with him. 'I have put my estimate as low as
possible, so that we may know our minimum:--

The Outdoor Theatre . . . . . . . . L6,000
The Indoor Theatre . . . . . . . . . L15,000
To Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . L4,000
To Salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . L1,500
My Own Salary . . . . . . . . . . . L5,000
Wardrobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L600
Gr