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. Although I should not have hesitated if it had not been for the music. I met an old school friend on my way to the opera-house; we could not resist stopping and recalling old times. Does the Prince join us this evening?

. The Prince had the bad taste to sit out the opera.

. Well, is there any news? Has the concert been arranged? Has the Casino accepted our proposition.?

. It has in the abstract; we have only to discuss the details. We anticipate a great sensation.

. I am charmed with your programme.

. As the audience will be intelligent, we need scarcely give that feature consideration.

. It comes fully prepared.

. It is no longer a question of initiating a brood of neophytes, but of appealing to a chosen circle of the élite, who are already believers.

. You will realize that you have never before listened to music. We shall play the three great symphonic poems: "The Slumber Poem," "The Poem of the Idea," and "The Poem of Silence."

. On the whole I consider the last the greatest work of Wilf.

. Nobody has been able to understand it as yet.

. It ceases to be what it is the moment that it is understood.

. It had only one performance in London, but five ladies fainted. Two of the first violins committed suicide a week after taking part in the concert.

. I never conduct the work without—shall I say religious?—preparation. I confine myself to my rooms during the week preceding the concert; I speak to no one—I bury myself in the rare, the divine pages bequeathed to us by the Master. I receive whatever food is necessary in order to