"_Siegfried_. Third Act."
"As a matter of fact," exclaimed Wagner, "I ought to rewrite from
nearly two pages back, because I have smudged it."
And he showed me where, on the right side of the leaf, three bars were
scratched out. They had been erased angrily, by three slurs, very
heavily marked and resembling a series of _e_'s and _l_'s.
"What will become of this precious paper, then?" I asked.
"Would you like it?" replied the Master, divining my covetousness.
"Oh! yes."
Then, taking his pen, he dated it on the margin at the top of the page,
"From Tribschen."
It is the wonderful prelude from the Third Act of _Siegfried_,
before the Invocation to Erda. It is sketched in three lines, with
instrumental indications, and a few pencilled alterations. I did not
yet know all the beauty contained in those two pages, the possession of
which filled me with joy.
The bell for _déjeuner_ sounded, and I heard the laughter of the
children. They were looking for us. Wagner gallantly offered me his arm
to escort me to the dining-room.