Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 11, 2025
"Thank you very much," he almost muttered. But he wrung Van Brinen's thin hand hard, and when he was alone with Charmian he said: "Of all the men I have met in New York that is the one I like best." Van Brinen had considerable influence in the musical world of New York, and after that evening he used it on Claude's behalf.
Or, better still, to the hand of the miner? Well, anyhow, I've got to go ahead. I can't do anything else. "But I remember the other night. And if I believe there's music worth having in any man of our day I believe it's in you. Your very sincere friend, and your admirer, "ALFRED VAN BRINEN." Charmian read this letter slowly, not missing a word.
When he reached the hotel it was nearly eight o'clock. The rehearsal of his opera had only been stopped because it had been necessary to get ready for the evening performance. Claude had promised to dine with Van Brinen that night, and Charmian was dining with some friends. But, at the last moment, Van Brinen had telephoned to say that he was obliged to go to a concert on behalf of his paper.
He remained sitting with his back to his wife and his guests, his face to the piano. At last he got up and turned, and his eyes again sought the face of Van Brinen. Then Van Brinen moved, clasped his long and thin hands tightly together, and said: "That's great! That's very great!" He paused, gazing at Claude. "That's enormous!" he said. "Do you mean is that from the opera?"
His manner was self-reliant, almost determined. He went to the piano, sat down, and played the scene Gillier had liked so much, the scene in which some of Said Hitani's curious songs were reproduced. The two journalists were evidently delighted. "That's new!" said Van Brinen. "Nothing like that has ever been heard here before. It brings a breath of the East to Broadway."
Claude had turned half round on the piano stool. His eyes were fixed upon Van Brinen. And now Van Brinen looked at him. There was an instant of silence. Then Claude swung round again to the piano and began to play something that was not out of the opera. Charmian had never heard it before. But Mrs. Mansfield had heard it.
One of them was an acquaintance of Van Brinen's. Claude asked him if Van Brinen were in the house. He said yes. Claude then inquired whether Van Brinen knew the number of his box, and was told that he did know it. The conversation turned to other topics, but when the two men had gone out Charmian said: "Why did you ask those questions about Mr. Van Brinen, Claudie?"
"Oh, no!" said Claude. He came to sit down, and began to talk quickly of all sorts of things. When the two pressmen were about to go away Van Brinen said: "I wish you success, Mr. Heath, as I have very seldom wished it for any man. For since I have heard some of your music, I feel that you deserve it as very few musicians I know anything of do." Claude's face flushed painfully, became scarlet.
"The man who heard a great voice out of the temple speaking to the seven angels." She paused. "Did he ever play you that?" she asked Charmian. "One night in America, when our dear friend, Alfred Van Brinen, was with us. But he played it for Mr. Van Brinen." "And since then?" "Madre, he has played it since then for me." Charmian got up from her chair. She stood by the fire.
He glanced around with his large Southern eyes and saw that there was a piano in the room. "Would he play to us, do you think?" he said, rather tentatively. "I am not asking as a pressman but as a keen musician." "Claude!" Charmian said. "Mr. Van Brinen asks if you will play us a little bit of the opera." Claude got up. "Why not?" he said. He spoke firmly.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking