THE ROSE OF MONTHOLON.
The last year at the Conservatory was drawing to an end. It was early
summer and Camilla was just ten years old. The long and difficult course
of study that many a boy was proud to finish when he was nineteen, was
almost over before she had entered her teens. She was paler and thinner
than ever and felt glad the warm weather had come, for really, her frock
was not thick enough for comfort. That terrible wolf had again howled in
the dark echoing entry way of the house on the Rue Lamartine. The goodly
pile of francs she had won on the German tour had melted wholly away.
Mother had taken up that dreary embroidery again. There were four boys
to be clothed and fed now, and Salvatore Urso found it hard work to get
along.
Camilla absorbed in her music hardly knew how serious the case had
become. Many a time she came home from her lessons to find that the
family had been to dinner, and that something nice and warm had been
saved for her. They said they had dined, but in truth they had only
eaten a cheap lunch of fried potatoes or something a few sous would buy
that Camilla might have a better dinner. She must be maintained in good
health, and no sacrifice on their part was too great. When they had but
little they took the best for her and concealed from her their own
scanty meals. She was an exceedingly affectionate child and would have
shared her best with her mother had she known what they silently
suffered for her sake.
Her father was constantly with her when she practiced. Many an hour he
stood by her side and held her left arm to help sustain the weight of
her weary violin. At times he let her sit on a stool though the good
student always stands with the violin. She was a growing girl and
something of the rules must be relaxed. At the same time her father was
a strict master and never suffered her to slight or neglect her
practice. During the three years at the Conservatory he never was absent
while she practiced though it averaged ten hours a day during the last
year. During it all Camilla never once refused to go to her lessons and
in company with her aunt or father daily walked to the Conservatory and
to Massart's house.
Could they go on much longer? Their case was getting positively
desperate. They had nearly struggled through the three years. It was
almost over and Camilla was well nigh ready to try her fortune in the
world. She must play before some of the wealthy amateur musicians and
show her talents. No money would come of it but it might serve as an
introduction to public life and bring her into notice so that when she
did leave the Conservatory she would not be wholly unknown.
One day there came an invitation to spend the evening at some private
house and she prepared to go. She had passably good clothing and was, as
far as appearance was concerned, ready to go. Then came a dreadful
discovery. The wolf was at the door. He had come up the stairs and was
scratching and snarling at the threshold. What were they to do? There
was not a thing to eat in the house. The very last franc had been spent.
There was nothing left but that pearl cross the Countess had given her
at Manheim. They might sell it. No they could not and would not. They
would go supperless to bed first. But Camilla, poor child, was going
out. Perhaps she would have a supper at the friend's house where she was
to play. And perhaps not. Besides, she had eaten nothing since morning.
She might faint before the supper hour came. She could not give it up
and go to bed as her brothers had done. In their perplexity and trouble
Aunt Caroline came with the joyful news that she had found a sou in an
old coat pocket. Only a sou--a copper cent. Camilla dressed hastily, and
with her father set out for the private concert where she was to play.
As they walked through the streets they stopped at one of the little
cooking stands that are so common in Paris. With the one cent they
bought a paper bag holding perhaps a pint of fried potatoes. M. Urso
carried the violin and Camilla took the bag and ate her supper as she
passed along. Franklin's breakfast of rolls in the streets of
Philadelphia was a royal feast beside Camilla's supper. Using her
handkerchief for a napkin she finished the meal and throwing the paper
bag away entered the grand mansion as the honored little guest and
artist. As for her father he had no supper at all.
It is always darkest just before dawn. They struggled through a few more
days of bitter poverty and then came a sudden burst of wealth and good
fortune that fairly took their breath away. It seemed as if a shower of
gold actually rained down upon them and a new and most remarkable
experience came in the history of the Urso family.
The last term at the Conservatory was nearly finished. She must give her
whole energies to her studies. The Directors had given out the piece of
music that was to be played by the pupils at the examination in July and
she must go to work upon it. Eight weeks was little enough time to give
to such a piece of music. It was the 24th Concerto in B Minor for violin
by Viotti. Besides being a work of great difficulty it began with one
short note followed by a longer one. They must all get that place right,
if nothing else. The jury would not forgive them if they slighted the
first note in the piece. How they did try over that one passage. The
two notes echoed from every room in the Conservatory all day long. The
boys tried it over at every spare moment and it did seem to Camilla as
if those were the only notes in the piece. For herself she practiced it
carefully and very slowly, feeling sure it was better to trust to her
own coolness and steadiness at the trial than to go over it so many
times as to become too confident.
About a year before this a man, who said he came from America, had
appeared at the Conservatory to see Massart in relation to some music
lessons he wished given to his sons. For convenience we will call this
man the American. He is now dead and as his share in this story is not
the most happy this title may take the place of his real name. His two
sons played the violin and the father wished them placed under Massart's
instruction. Camilla came in during the interview and quietly waited
till it was over. The two boys played for the master and Camilla sat
near by in silence. Then Massart asked her to play. She did so and the
American was so much pleased that he asked her name and residence. A day
or two after that he called upon Camilla's father and proposed to him
that Camilla should visit the United States as soon as her lessons were
finished at the Conservatory. He thought she would attract great
attention there and offered to take her to America on a concert tour.
This was all very fine but Camilla could not go now and so the matter
was dropped. When the term was over there would be time enough to talk
about it. So the American went away and the Ursos thought no more about
it.
Suddenly in the Summer of the last year and just before the term was
finished he reappeared and repeated his offer to take Camilla to
America. She was to go with him for three years and was to play at
concerts in all the principal cities of the country.
In consideration of which he would pay M. Urso the sum of thirty
thousand francs the first year, sixty thousand francs the second year
and one hundred thousand francs the third year. Traveling and hotel
expenses for three people were to be paid and altogether it was a
flattering offer.
Thirty thousand francs in one year! It was too wonderful! They had never
dreamed of so much money! Sixty thousand francs! A hundred thousand
francs! Such sums were too vast to be taken in at one sitting. They must
consider the matter. After much discussion it was at last arranged that
when her lessons at the Conservatory were finished Camilla and her
father should start for America.
During the last Spring in Paris they changed their residence and moved
into more cheerful and comfortable rooms on the Rue Montholon, a street
that makes a continuation of the Rue Lamartine. Here they had front
rooms in the attic and in the sixth story. There was a broad balcony at
the foot of the steep mansard roof and here Camilla's mother arranged a
pretty row of plants in pots so that the iron railing in front was half
hid by flowers. Poor as they were they always managed to have it as
bright and pretty about them as possible. With all their poverty they
always contrived to look neat and pleasant. M. Urso arranged a temporary
shed on the balcony for a kitchen and here in the bright sunshine high
up in the air above the noisy street Camilla used to watch the birds and
the clouds and peep through the geranium leaves down into the street so
far below. This change of scene was a great advantage to her. It
brightened her spirits and gave her thin cheeks a bit of color. As she
went through the streets with her violin, and gay in a new chip hat and
blue ribbon the people turned to look at the demure eyes and the half
smiling mouth and said: "She is the Rose of Montholon."
The Rose could not be suffered to bloom alone in the alley-ways and
lanes of the old city and invitations to play at the houses of some the
grand families came in. One of these was to the residence of Madam
Armengo and another was the residence of Napoleon then known as the
Prince President. At Madam Armengo's Camilla attracted great attention
and won many friends. Her playing was a surprise to all and the company
could hardly find words to express their pleasure and admiration.
Then came an invitation from the Prince President to take part at a
grand concert at the Palace de Elysée before the Prince and the great
dignitaries of the court. There were Generals and Marshals, Princesses
and grand Court ladies, artists and gentlemen with decorations and many
other notables. A place on the programme was assigned to the little Rose
of Montholon and in her usual simple and natural manner she played her
best before the honorable company. They paid her the best of attention
and she quickly captured all their hearts by her childish manners and
wonderful playing. They had never heard any such playing from one so
young and they crowded around her to thank her and congratulate her upon
her skill.
The Prince Napoleon came and spoke to her, praised her music and asked
what she intended to do next. Go to America. Ah! No. That was not right.
Such talent as hers must not leave France. M. Urso replied that the
contract had already been signed with the American and they must go with
him.
"Puisqu 'il en est ainsi, dépéchez vous à aller gagner de l'argent, et
revenez vite en France. A votre retour ne manquez pas de venir me voir."
These were the very words of the Prince in reply. They thanked him
heartily and then the party broke up and they went back to their home on
the Rue Montholon.
Then came the final examination at the Conservatory. It did not differ
materially from the one described before except that it was much more
difficult. The questions in harmony were more searching. The piece of
music to be sung at first sight was more perplexing than ever before
and the new quartette for strings in which she was to take the first
violin far exceeded the others in technical difficulties. Each day of
the trial was a triumph for her. She received the first prize and never
were a family more pleased with the success of a child. It was a great
day for the Ursos and it seemed as if all their labor and sacrifice was
to be splendidly rewarded. Camilla had never faultered through it all,
and now that it was over the three years of study seemed as nothing. It
had been a hard struggle but she did not care. It was happily over and
soon she would go to America and gratify her father by winning a great
store of money. Then she would return to Paris and to dear old Massart.
In spite of his severe discipline he was a good man at heart and she
loved him dearly. She owed everything to him and she could never half
pay him for his generosity in helping her in her days of poverty. He was
very unwilling to part with his favorite pupil and wanted her to stay in
Paris and continue her lessons. It would cost her nothing. He would be
only too glad to teach her. It could not be. She must fulfill her
contract with the American.
America. Where was it? So far, so far away. Would she ever come back
from such a distant country? It seemed in those days a very serious
undertaking and their friends could hardly believe them when they said
they were going to New York.
The Director Auber was also very sorry to part with her and kindly
wrote a letter of introduction for her. The following is a copy:--
PARIS, August 12th, 1852.
"Mademoiselle Camilla Urso is a young pupil of the National
Conservatory of Music. Although still at a very tender age, she
has obtained brilliant success at several concerts in Paris, and
above all at the Conservatory, where the jury have decreed to
her by election the first prize at the competition for the
prizes of the year.
"Learning that she is soon to depart for the United States, I am
delighted to state the happy qualities which ought to ensure a
noble artistic career.
"The Americans have already nobly proved that they are not only
just appreciators of the fine arts, especially of music, but
that they know as well how to recompense with generosity the
merits of the celebrated artists who are heard in the hospitable
towns of their rich and beautiful country."
AUBER.
Member of the Institute and Director of the Conservatory."
Finally everything was arranged. Aunt Caroline was to go with Camilla
while her mother was to remain in Paris with the boys. The three years
would soon be over and then they would all be reunited and could live
happily together once more.
The American was liberal in everything. He supplied them with money for
their outfit, and it really seemed as if their days of trial and poverty
were at an end. There was nothing to do, but to accept and enjoy the
great reward that had crowned their exertions.
The new dresses, the parting with dear old Massart and the anticipation
of the voyage absorbed Camilla's thoughts, and the sailing day arrived
almost too soon. The trunks were packed and the carriage came to the
door. It was a sad parting for fond mother and affectionate little girl.
She cried bitterly and would hardly consent to leave her mother's arms.
As the carriage drove away she looked back up at the lofty balcony where
the geraniums put their red eyes through the railing and watched her
mother's handkerchief fluttering so high in the air till a turn in the
crooked street shut her dear home from view. Two weeks later, on the
15th of September, a little girl, her father and aunt and a violin
landed from the Steamship Humboldt in New York and a new life began for
Camilla.
It was like a dream. They couldn't believe it, nor understand it. It
seemed as if they lived in a palace. They had three parlors furnished in
the most costly and elegant style. There were yellow satin chairs in one
room and blue in the next. Obsequious servants waited upon their every
want. Camilla's room looked out on Broadway and the view from the window
afforded her unending amusement She hardly dared to sit in the satin
chairs. They were almost too fine for use. Such splendor and luxury was
really oppressive. And the people! What a strange language they spoke.
She was sure she could never understand it. She listened and tried and
only succeeded in pronouncing the name of the hotel which she gave as
the "Ir-ving House."
The first few days they gave themselves up to sight seeing. The American
called frequently and said that the first concert would come off very
soon. He had advertised it extensively and the whole troupe must prepare
for the great event. In the meantime they must be prepared to receive
company, for the authorities would soon call upon them. This they
thought would be quite proper and they felt sure they would receive the
dignitaries of the city with becoming respect.
In order to give a proper variety to Camilla's concerts other talent had
been engaged. Oscar Comettant and his wife had been invited by the
American to join the troupe. He was to assist as accompanist and his
wife was to sing. There was also a M. Fetlinger a buffo singer. This
enabled them to present with Camilla's assistance the best of
programmes.
While they were thus waiting at the Irving House for their first
concert, the whole party M. and Madam Comettant, M. Urso, Camilla, and
Aunt Caroline all went out to walk one bright sunny morning. As they
strolled through the streets they suddenly came to a dead wall where in
gorgeous letters six feet high was printed the startling announcement:--
"CAMILLA URSO HAS ARRIVED."
They all stopped and gazed with feelings of wonder and awe, upon this
remarkable sentence.
Oscar Comettant was the only one who could translate it and when he had
done so they all repeated it over to themselves. As for Camilla she
committed it to memory as the first sentence she had ever spoken in
English. They returned to the Irving House remarking to themselves that
America was truly a wonderful country. The intelligent natives
appreciated music. They welcomed artists in a truly royal manner, and
published their names in letters six feet high. While they were talking
over the matter the American suddenly came in. He seemed greatly excited
over something. Was the Mayor coming? Were the authorities coming to
visit them? Should they dress for company?
Ah! No! Something had happened. He was very sorry--but--his partner--who
supplied the money, etc. had--failed?
Failed! What did he mean! Failed?
No money?
No, not a dollar left!
They couldn't believe it. Were they to give no concert? Was not Camilla
going to play? Was the grand scheme a failure?
Yes. It was all over. Everything had failed.
The whole party was utterly stupified and hadn't a word to say. What
should they do? Where were they to go? The disaster was too great for
comprehension. They hardly knew what to say much less what to do. The
American could do nothing. He had not a dollar in the world.