Master of Illusion Book Two

Prologue

3 December 1929

‘Book two,’ read the publisher, taking down the manuscript. He kicked the fire into some semblance of life, recharged his coffee cup from the pot on the hob and retired to his favourite armchair. ‘Continuing the tale of the Master of Illusion from the diaries of Madame Dupont and other illuminating sources, including the secret files of the Master himself. And now, the promised revelations ...’

Part One

The Opéra Magique

Chapter One

À Succés

Almost midnight, 21 April 1892

Our greatest Triumph! The culmination of all that we have worked for: a Zenith beyond our dreams. Yet, it is my Nadir.

He was laughing at her, she knew, something he had always done. Once it had been with affection, but now the malice was overt, tangible. From the day they had met as children they had been close. He, the younger, had always depended on her, listened to her counsel and, in male fashion, protected her; their lives irrevocably intertwined. Until Katarina's wedding day. From then on, Elise's life had, literally, been in the balance, as he struggled with his fury towards her. And now, it was hard, all too hard. Katarina would be back soon. And what then?

She began to feel ill. Would he never forgive her? Was she to be punished forever? Without another word, she got up and left their little party, stumbling over to the door, fumbling the handle, pausing for a moment in the outer dressing-room to take herself in hand.

‘Madame?’ called Sprite. ‘Are you all right?’

‘Leave her,’ said the Master. ‘Madame is exhausted by her evening and must needs retire. Perhaps the champagne has gone to her head?’

She gave a little sob. Oh, the —— How dare he? I have taken the veriest sip!

‘Speaking of which,’ he added, ‘you are being very clutch-fisted with it, Maestro. Recharge, s'il vous plaît.’

‘I am sorry, Monsieur.’ Monsieur Merignac hastened to repair his omission. ‘I was thinking ...’

‘Well, see that you do not do it. It does not suit you.’ The glasses clinked. ‘Salut.’

Heedless of the tears, Madame Dupont ran down the backstairs littered with drunken bodies, averting her eyes from abandoned embraces, unable to maintain sufficient sangfroid to return to the more civilised party in the foyer.

Crossing the square to her house, she thought about the story of the angel and the apostle John, about the little book that tasted like honey in the mouth but made the belly bitter. She knew just how he must have felt. Their Opéra Magique—its Grand Opening, the sweetness of their triumph, the magnificent after party—all turned to bitterness at his treatment of her. Yet, she had not been subjected to rudeness or violence, only a subtle undercurrent of anger. Debilitating, corrosive, relentless ...

Five am, 22 April 1892

The Reviews. Dare I open them? Will they be filled with Praise or Ridicule? Or worse—Danger and Death?

‘Good morning, Madame. I have brought to you the newspapers and the mail, the minute they arrived, as you requested.’

‘Oh, thank you, Marie.’ She did not look up from her stretching exercise at the barre. ‘Put them down there and tell Berthe to send a tray of coffee to the Master's dressing-room. Merci.’

Deliberately, she made herself finish her morning routine before she went to the side table to pick up a paper. Turning to the entertainment section, she gasped, closing it quickly.

Forgetting her distress at their previous encounter, she gathered up the bundle and ran to Angel's apartment, throwing them onto the tray with the coffee and, mindful of the hour, tapped lightly on his door.

‘Monsieur? Monsieur?’ She spoke quietly, so as not to disturb him if he had not yet risen from his bed. ‘Are you awake?’

The door swung open of itself, as before, but this time she entered, looking about for him.

‘What is it, Madame? You are up very early for someone who was celebrating to all hours.’

‘And you, Monsieur. I thought I may have woken you.’

‘No, no, I was working. Early morning is the best time for composing, before the world violates my doorstep.’ He rose from behind a small instrument to take the tray from her. ‘I see you come bearing gifts.’

‘Oui. But you have bought another clavichord.’ She seemed uncertain. ‘I did not get you one, because I was not sure ... that is, I did not want to ... to remind you if ——’

‘Very thoughtful of you, Madame. It is the first glimmer of sensitivity I have seen in you for quite some time.’

‘Please ...’

‘Ah, I see. You have brought to me the newspapers. Come, sit down. Let us see what the critics have had to say about our debut. But I expect you know, already. Tell me, is it good news or bad? It has to have been one or the other to have brought you here at this hour.’

‘I have had the veriest peek at a headline, but I would not read it without you, my dear. However, I think we do have something to celebrate.’

‘Du vrai? Eh bien, pour the coffee, Madame, while I read out to you the salient points.’

He opened the first paper, beginning to laugh. ‘Oh, listen to this one: The Promethean Fountain, showering fire that does not burn, just one of the wonders we witnessed at the Grand Opening of the Opéra Magique with that peerless magician—peerless magician, indeed. I wonder who writes this rubbish?—the Master of Illusion. And so it goes on. Oh, here is another piece: "Madame Dupont is femme formidable—oho, they got that right!—in her assessment of the mood of the public. Her mix of entertainment was exactly right, épatant. Whose assessment of the public? Madame Dupont, indeed.’ He took a sip of coffee, shuffling through another newspaper. ‘I shall get a big head if I keep reading these reviews, Madame. What do you think of this one? A voice that is Perfection―with a capital, mark you—itself. Unknown sorcerer puts spell over opening night of Opéra Magique. Brave Madame Dupont did not miss her tip when she selected an Unknown—also with a capital—as the star of her opera house". Brave Madame Dupont?’

‘I think I am, Monsieur. Very brave.’

‘Foolhardy, you mean.’ The menace was back in his eyes as he lowered them to the article.

For a short time, there was only the rustling of paper while they searched through the remainder of the reviews.

At last, Madame Dupont looked up, refilling their coffee cups. ‘Have you noticed something, Monsieur?’

‘What? Apart from each of us having to buy a new hat at least two sizes larger? Or do you mean, not one negative comment? Or that my ideas for our mix of entertainment have been attributed to you?’

She smiled. ‘None of those, Monsieur. No, it is something I have been very much dreading. In fact, it kept me awake for the better part of the night. But there has not been one mention of the similarity of your voice to a tenor from the past, despite some rather significant comments from at least two of the critics. I think we are safe, my dear.’

‘Eh bien, so it would seem.’

‘It must be because your voice has developed and matured. It was something the marquise du Melande said to me after your aria. I was so afraid that she would recognise you. Because, you know, if anyone could, it would be her.’

‘And did she?’

‘No, well ... She said straight out that your voice reminded her of Angel, but it could not be, because yours has so much more depth and colour than his.’

‘Hmm. Monsieur Merignac said something similar about my music.’

‘Eh bien, you see? Did I not tell you?’

‘Indeed, you did, but I shan't let you crow.’ His eye fell to the tray. ‘Is that the post?’ he said, rifling through it to snatch up a pink envelope, its heavy scent wafting upwards.

She wrinkled her nose. ‘Faugh! How can you stand that perfume? Stench, rather!’

‘I like it. Do not you?’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

She shrugged, wondering if he had, after all, found himself a chère amie. Someone from the demimonde, judging by the cloying strength of the scent. Perhaps that was why he was so secretive about these communications that arrived with clockwork regularity every week, because he knew she would not approve. ‘It is heavy ... smells too much of musk.’

He sat back, a gleam in his eye. ‘It reminds me of les femmes in the full bloom of womanhood.’

This was too much. ‘Yes, and I know which ones! Such femmes use it in the false belief that it will cover the malodour of their unwashed persons.’

‘Is that so? The stench of unwashed humanity is particularly pungent. Not at all like this. I can see that you, Madame, have never lived on the street.’

‘And now, you are going to say that I should be thankful for it.’

‘No, but knowing the kind of person you are, I am sure that you do regularly render up such thanks.’

‘One should count one's blessings, Monsieur.’

‘Undoubtedly.’ His fingers closed briefly on her wrist, to the point of agony. ‘One does not then have to face the reality of one's disappointments.’

‘Oh, my dear ...’ Such bitterness! She did not know how to answer this, rallying to change the subject: ‘So ... are you going to let us meet her?’

‘Her?’

‘Your perfume-loving correspondent.’

‘Why should I?’

‘Well ... she writes so regularly.’

‘She? How do you know it is a woman?’

Pink envelope? Overpowering scent? ‘I, er ... I assumed.’

‘And did you also assume that the return address is, perhaps, a bordello?’

‘Of course not! I ——’

‘It can be dangerous, sometimes, to make assumptions, Madame. You will do well to remember it. And now, if you do not mind, I must get back to my work.’

‘But wait, Monsieur. Un moment, if you please?’

‘What is it?’

‘You have not forgotten that we have been invited to the soiree of the comtesse de la Roche-Carillac?’

‘Oh.’ He waved a hand. ‘I cannot go. I have some music to compose. It has been teasing my brain for weeks, and now our Grand Opening is out of the way, I must get it down.’

‘But it is not until Tuesday, and the marquise du Melande is her special guest. Last night, she asked me specifically for your attendance, because she is determined to make your acquaintance. You will have finished your composition by then, will you not?’

‘Mais non! It is complex. You go. Say all that is proper to the comtesse and present my most profound apologies to the marquise.’

‘One day the marquise is going to see right through you, mon cher, without doubt. This is the second time that I have had to present your apologies.’

‘Do you think she will not, already? There is only one thing she cares about. As long as I continue to deliver my music to the expected standard, she will forgive me.’

‘Such conceit! You are spoilt and deserve nothing of the kind.’ But she knew he was right. And perhaps he was wise. Madame la marquise had been Angel's greatest supporter. Just because she thought the Master so much better than Angel did not preclude her from ever working out who he was.

26 April 1892

Is it not Angel all over to do this? I am always having to Make Shift for him.

‘Madame Dupont!’

She smiled, waiting for the duchesse de Belvoir who was gliding towards her: svelte and elegant. ‘How do you do, Madame?’

‘Delightfully, Madame, now that I meet with you, at last. My felicitations on the stunning success of your Grand Opening. I looked for you at your afterparty but could not find you. Such a press!’ Her light eyes were warm and friendly, full of laughter. ‘We, the duc and I, enjoyed your show very much.’

‘I am honoured and enchanted to hear it, Madame. Your approval means very much to me. Thank you.’

‘Your talent does not wane, bien sûr! Now, tell me ...’ The duchesse, tucking Madame Dupont's hand in her arm, moved away with her to a quiet corner.

‘Well!’ said the comtesse de la Roche-Carillac, bearing down upon them with the marquise du Melande. ‘That will be the end of any questions anyone else wants to ask Madame Dupont, until the duchesse sees fit to release her. She has taken a great fancy to her. Literally pounces on her, my dear. I believe they met at her wedding. Madame Dupont organised it for her. Well, for the duc, really, and ever since then, from what I have heard and seen for myself, the duchesse goes out of her way to speak with her.’

‘Indeed?’ said the marquise, fanning herself. ‘Taken a fancy to her, has she? It must run in the family, then.’

‘What? You do not mean the duc? Oh, I do not think so, Madame. He hardly gives her the time of day.’ She looked at the other's inscrutable face and smiled. ‘Oh, your little jokes ... so delightful, Madame.’

‘Merci. But what makes you think I was joking?’

The comtesse gave her tinkle of laughter. ‘I know you, Madame. You and your wicked, wicked sense of humour. Ah, here we are now. If I distract the duchesse, you will be able to have your word with Madame Dupont.’

‘No.’ The marquise shut her fan with a snap. ‘It amuses me much more to watch the machinations of the duchesse.’ She shook her head. ‘The lengths to which she will go in order to please that husband of hers. Myself, I would rather slap him in the face with a wet mackerel.’ Her eyes twinkled at the shocked mien of the comtesse. ‘To bring his head out of the clouds, so that he sees what's under his nose,’ she explained, then shrugged. ‘As you say, my deplorable sense of humour. Come.’ She took the arm of her hostess. ‘You may lead me to your supper table. I have suddenly discovered an appetite.’

The comtesse, staring at her aghast, was obedient to the tug on her arm. She murmured an appropriate answer, wondering, all the while, whether others of the le beau monde were aware that the marquise du Melande was showing the first signs of senility.

Chapter Two

The Tuscan Warbler

27 April 1892

Does our House have need of a Soprano? Certainement. But after Sophranie, I have steered clear of such Troublesome creatures.

Taking the post from Marie, Madame Dupont placed it on the hall table and, recognising the writing of the comte de Villefontaine, took up the top envelope. A little shiver of disquiet ran through her. Why had Xavier written and not, as always, Katarina? With trembling fingers, she broke open the seal to unfold a sheet of expensive, crested notepaper:

Dear Madame,

Since I have so basely stolen your Resident Soprano, I have taken the Liberty of sending you Another in her stead. Her name is Signora Rosetti, and she is very famous here in Vienna; a court Favourite, known as the Tuscan Warbler—and it is no misnomer—believe me. I have found her curiously fluted notes most Captivating, and even Katarina admits that her voice is unusual. In my humble opinion, she is, indeed, a Songbird; and I trust that you will be delighted with her. In my capacity as your Patron, I have engaged her for the Season at no cost to you.

‘Xavier,’ she breathed, ‘how dare you ...?’ And then she saw the arrival date of the diva. Today. Now! This letter must have been delayed in transit.

Gathering up her skirts to run, she shouted, ‘Marie, ici! At once!’

‘Yes, Madame?’ The parlourmaid caught up with her on the stairs.

‘Remove all my belongings from my suite and have it prepared for immediate occupation. You may take my things to Sophranie's old room for now. Get as many girls as you need to help you, and do it as soon as possible. We have a famous soprano arriving at any minute and no suitable accommodation ready for her.’

‘Yes, Madame. But what about you?’

‘Sophranie's bedchamber will do me very well until we have another suite of rooms redecorated. Bien! I must go.’

She sped across the square and into the opera house, calling for Gaston, as a light travelling chaise and a large fourgon came into view. Standing back to wait until the woman alighted with the assistance of her maid and manservant, she came forward, holding out a hand. ‘Signora Rosetti? Pray forgive me. I have just this instant received the delightful intelligence that you have come to us, the comte's letter having been quite tiresomely delayed. Please forgive the random nature of your reception, and allow me to welcome you, most sincerely, to the Opéra Magique.’

‘How do you do, Madame?’ The diva, a slim brunette, having touched her hand, began to walk up the steps into the foyer. ‘Yes, this is a very nice house—as the young comte took pains to assure me. Such a sweet young man with his dear little wife. A very lucky young woman, do you not think? He has such a charming way with him.’

‘Indeed, Signora.’

‘Oh mio Dio! Grand in the extreme, is it not?’ she exclaimed, looking about. ‘Yes, I shall sing very well here. Your beautiful stage will do me the justice my singing deserves. The little comte was right—ah, he was so kind!—in saying this house was a fitting bower for me. Do you know, he said to me that however magical I found it that it would not be more magical than my voice? Is that not charming, Madame? And now, I say in my turn that the Opéra Magique is indeed a magical place. Quite, too enchanting.’

‘Thank you, Signora, I am delighted that it receives your approval. Excuse me for one second, if you please. Gaston, take the Signora's baggage to the resident soprano's suite on the third floor of the Académie.’

‘But ...? Don't you mean the second floor suite, Madame?’

‘No, I mean the third.’ Her manner was distinctly cool. ‘Did I not say so? Have you forgotten that Madame Le Brun has the second floor suite?’

‘You will need to accommodate my maid and my dresser close by,’ said Signora Rosetti, drawing herself up. ‘Also, my horses, my carriage, my groom and my coachman.’

‘But certainly, Signora. Gaston will see to it. Come, let me take you on a tour of the opera house, where you shall view your dressing-room and meet our conductor.’

Gaston, staring after her in disbelief, roused himself to direct the luggage coach to the other side of the square. Before opening night, he'd tried to warn her of the danger she faced from Angel; and all he'd gotten for his pains was a fury he had never seen from her and, ever since, a chilling indifference that broke his heart. And now―he hardly believed he'd heard aright—she was moving out of her apartment for this strange and demanding foreigner.

Signora Rosetti appeared to go into raptures over her surroundings. ‘This stage, he is lovely—ah, like no other!—and Monsieur Merignac and his orchestra? Wunderbar! As they say in Vienna. They shall play for me, hein? You will indulge me, Madame? Ah, good. I shall exhibit to you my so glorious voice, given to me by God, who has, as my cherished papa was fond of saying, caressed my vocal cords with a golden finger. I shall sing the same, very technically difficult, song that so enchanted the little comte. Thus, I shall reveal to you that my sobriquet The Tuscan Warbler is certainly well merited.’

‘Signora, we shall be enchanted. But will you not first take some refreshment after your journey? And then, when I have assembled an audience from the rest of my artists, we shall have our great treat.’

‘Very well. I shall take a little wine and a meringue. I do not eat at this hour. And when you are assembled in your boxes and, perhaps, your gallery, I shall sing to you The Laughing Song by Johann Strauss the Younger from Die Fledermaus as my introduction to your house. It will also help me decide whether your acoustics are good enough for me to show off my voice, for if not, I very much regret that I must decline the so flattering offer of your patron, the comte.’

‘Oh, indeed, I think you will find the acoustics all they should be, Signora. Now, if you would oblige me by resting in your dressing-room, I shall send to you the promised refreshments and your maid.’

‘Grazie. And do not forget my dresser. I shall be ready to sing in half an hour, and I do not like to be kept waiting.’

‘Oh, indeed not, Signora. We shall all be waiting in the greatest anticipation, je vous assure.’

‘Who is this woman?’ asked the Master, when she had got him to the box.

‘Signora Rosetti: the Italian diva.’

‘I can see she is Italian, but what is she doing here?’

‘Xavier has not only recommended her, but has paid her salary for the season.’

‘You will not allow it!’

She shrugged. ‘I only found out about it this morning. What can I do?’

‘That depends upon whether she can sing.’

And if she can't, she thought, Xavier, if the Master doesn't murder you, I will ...

Signora Rosetti had a light, sweet, rather quavery voice, but as the song progressed it became apparent that the aria she had chosen was a little too difficult for her: several of her notes not quite making it. Whether this was because the diva had not taken the time to warm up her voice after travelling for so many days or due to a natural deficiency, she could not tell, but glancing sideways at the Master, Madame Dupont knew they were in for trouble. He was silent: lips folded uncompromisingly. Xavier, we are both going to kill you ...

‘Too much vibrato,’ he said, under the cover of their applause at the end of the aria. ‘But you know that.’

She nodded. ‘Yes, it is a little wobbly, but it is not bad, I think.’

‘A little? Bien sûr, Madame, what do you mean: a little? If her voice were a bicycle, she would fall off it!’

‘Oh, Monsieur.’ She smothered a laugh. ‘You must not exaggerate ...’

‘And her high notes are off-key. It is particularly annoying and does not belong in an opera house.’

‘Would you go that far, my dear? It is only rarely and very slightly in her ornamentation. That aria, it is very difficult.’

‘I know, but she cannot maintain her voice quality at such times—a very serious fault.’

‘Yes, I must admit that she does become a little flat on occasion.’

‘You are too kind, Madame. But while you are admitting ... here and now, you may admit to me that she sounds exactly like a hen about to present her master with his breakfast egg!’

‘Oh, mon cher!’ This time, she could not help laughing. ‘What a scandalous thing to say! But she could be improved, do you not think?’

‘No.’ He nodded towards the diva regally accepting the applause. ‘She believes she is perfect: look at her. She would not accept a criticism, however constructive. I would not waste my breath.’

‘That is very true. I have read that about her somewhere ...’

‘But you do not expect me to sing with her?’ Reading her expression, he said, ‘Oh no, Madame, no. You must get rid of her.’

‘How can I? I cannot turn off a famous diva without a reason other than you will not sing with her.’

‘Why not? It is the best reason.’

‘But ...’

He sighed. ‘What are you thinking?’

‘I was thinking that if she sang less demanding arias ... If you wanted, you could compose some to suit her voice, disguise her shortcomings and emphasise her good points. She is a gift from the comte, mon cher.’

‘There is only one thing that I want from the comte.’

Thinking it safer to ignore this, she said, ‘Most of our audiences would be very happy with her voice. It has a certain haunting quality that is very alluring. It would be only the marquise du Melande ——’

‘Would it?’

‘And the other thing is: are we ready for a battle of epic proportions? For she will not go quietly, that I promise you. She will say she only answers to the comte.’

‘Very well, if you will not do it, then ——’

‘No, no, you must keep well away from her, for I have remembered what it is I read about her. Any criticism of her voice will spring the biggest tantrum. Oh, no, you must not go anywhere near her! Please, Monsieur, can we not compromise on this? She is not that bad.’

‘To you, perhaps not. But I cannot stand her.’ He bent a stern eye to her. ‘Pay attention to me, Madame. I—will—not—sing—with—her. And I will not have her ruining my compositions by her so-called singing. Get rid of her. Because if you do not, I will. Have I made myself clear?’

‘Oh, infinitely, Monsieur. But what are we going to do? We need a soprano.’

‘Not one like her! Forget your ideas of a soprano. You seem to be going from bad to worse. What is wrong with putting on a ballet—say, perhaps, Cleopatra?’

‘Cleopatra? Why not Le Château Enchanté?’

‘Because, my dear, while it will do the patrons no harm to remind them of La Belle, it could be deleterious to both of us to remind them of Angel. I thought you would be able to see that. Not to mention the fact that the latter requires the disputed soprano. You are not thinking, Madame. Le Château Enchanté is an opera ballet, not a ballet. Why do you not suggest Giselle?’

‘Perhaps it is because I do not have your savoir faire, lacking that certain je ne sais quoi that places you in your position of superior knowledge and intellect ...’

‘Oh, claws! Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?’

Bed? As of this morning, I don't even have one ... ‘And if I had? Would you care?’

‘A good question. Tell me first: are we putting on Cleopatra or Giselle?’

‘Oh ... do what you like! You will, anyway. I have more important things to attend to.’

‘Like explaining to Signora Rosetti why we do not want her?’

‘You ... are impossible!’ she told him, leaving the box. Outside the door, she stopped to take several deep breaths.

§

She found the diva reclining complacently on the chaise longue in her dressing-room.

‘Ah, Madame Dupont, I have been waiting for you. I saw you in close consultation with a gentleman in your box. He is very handsome, is he not? He is your star?’

‘Yes, Signora.’

‘Ah, bellissimo, he looks so romantic. Such dramatic good looks! He will sing with me, will he not? He is a tenor?’

‘Yes, Signora.’

‘Ah, excellent. I prefer the tenor voice; it is a perfect foil for my own. And what is he to you?’

‘Pardon, Signora? I am not quite certain of your meaning?’

‘He is your man? Your lover?’

‘No, no, a friend and colleague, merely.’

‘Oh good, I should not like to tread on your toes, you understand, for I always like to fall a tiny bit in love with my leading man; and perhaps he would not be averse to a little light flirtation? What do you think? A little affaire de cœur, conducted with delicacy: it adds a zest to life, which is reflected in the voice, don't you agree?’

Fortunately for Madame Dupont's peace of mind, it seemed she need not answer her questions.

Clasping her hands and running on, ‘Ah, to look soulfully into the eyes of a lover when one sings on the stage ... it adds credibility, a great emotion to the performance! Yes, I have had many lovers. It keeps one young, does it not? When will you introduce me to my so romantic co-star? I cannot wait to sing with him!’

‘I am afraid it will not be possible today, Signora. He has many commitments; unavoidable prior engagements that he cannot break. And because he is unwilling to show you the disrespect of a hurried interview ...’

‘Oh, épris! Such a gentleman! But tell me: What did he think of my voice? You were excited by my rendition of the aria?’

‘Indeed, Signora, you might say that it was most exciting—for both of us. But in the light of the undisputed quality of your performance, he and I have agreed that it would not be fair to you if I allowed you to make your final decision before you hear what I have to say.’ She took a deep breath, holding the diva's eye. ‘You see, Signora, Monsieur le comte, whose intentions are, I am sure, admirable, and who is most enthusiastic about this house, bless him, is not fully conversant with the type of theatre we present here. He left on his bride trip before we opened, you understand, and I did not fully explain to him what it is we had in mind. You may not wish to demean yourself by singing in this house ...’

Signora Rosetti rose from her couch in alarm. ‘What do you mean: demean myself? This is a perfectly respectable house, quite ... beautiful, if I may say, and well suited to my talents, I should think. You need not be so humble, Madame.’

‘Signora, you are an opera singer who has sung in the great houses of the world.’

‘Of course!’ She swept her skirts regally. ‘I am no stranger to world acclaim.’

‘Then, perhaps, you will not wish to sing in this opera house when I tell you that the principal performer is a previously unknown magician—with a street spectacle as his pièce de résistance.’

‘A magician? A common street magician?’

‘I am sorry, Signora.’

‘Madame, you shock me greatly! I would not have thought it. No, I would not have thought it ... But, on reflection, perhaps his looks are too cheap and flashy to be real. The combination of that black hair and sapphire-blue eyes is a little too dramatic, even for me. And in an opera house of such quality? You poor, poor woman, to be used by one so patently a mountebank. Oh, no, no, no, it must not be.’

‘Oui, Signora, I am afraid so. We are trying a new form of entertainment, and I blush to inform you that you have, all unwittingly, been dreadfully misled. We are not serious classicists here, and you will not be singing the great arias to which you have been accustomed. No, you will be singing only our magician's compositions, and he, well ...’ She looked down, fiddling with her chatelaine. ‘He has not been recognised ...’

‘Do you mean that I shall be required to sing inferior works by an unknown composer?’

‘Regrettably, yes, Signora,’ she said, perjuring herself without hesitation.

‘You do not say so? But the comte did not —— What outrage! Does the comte think to make of me a laughing stock? To disrupt me in the manner so profound? For a charlatan? Oh, no, no, no. The great diva Rosetti does not stoop to sing the unknown compositions of a street magician, and so I shall tell the comte. Good day, Madame. Our contract is cancelled as of this minute! I shall remove to the Opéra Paris. They have an apartment they keep—just for me.’ She tossed her head, eyes snapping. ‘You may despatch my trunks, on the instant, if you please.’

Xavier ... Thought Madame Dupont in some relief, watching her stalk away, neither Angel nor I shall have to kill you. The Signora will do it for us ... ‘Of course, Signora,’ she said, catching her up at the door. ‘You must not worry yourself further. Your entourage shall be sent to the Opéra Paris without delay. Indeed, it is a scandal that you have already been so inconvenienced. Please wait while I send for your carriage, so that you may immediately repair to it, à l'instant, Signora. I am desolated that our theatre is not of sufficient standard for your so unusual talents.’

‘Madame, never say so. It is not your theatre that is at fault, no.’ The black eyes glistened. ‘You must send this canaille on his way—get some new artists. I can help you there.’

‘Thank you, but I am afraid I cannot do that, Signora.’

‘Why not? You are secretly in love with him? ... No? ... He has some other hold on you?’

Madame Dupont shrugged delicately. ‘It is too late for me, Signora. But you ——’

‘Blackmail? Oh, the villain! Thank you, Madame, for your timely warning, and at no little risk to yourself, I'll warrant. If ever you do find a way to be rid of him, I will show my gratitude by coming to sing in your house.’

‘You do me great honour, Signora, and I felt it to be the least I could do, n'est-ce pas? But I have been forgetting the comte. He will be so disappointed when he returns to find you are not here with us.’

‘Ah, yes, the little comte: he has something to answer to me for. Did I not see already that he was sly, inept—ingratiating in his manner? Oh, but certainly, he shall feel the lash of my tongue ...’ The diva, thus reminded of the comte's iniquity, broke off what she was saying and waited in disdainful silence for her carriage, mounting and driving away in high dudgeon.

Madame Dupont retired thankfully to her house.

The Master met her in the hallway. ‘I see, Madame, that in your ingenuity, you were able to persuade the talented Signora that she is not suited to this establishment.’

‘Yes, and I hope you are satisfied.’

‘If she has gone, then I am satisfied. I do not know how you could stand that cackling she calls singing. Did you have any difficulty in persuading her?’

‘I found it ... embarrassing. Mortifying. Not that you would care! And, anyway, I think you were being a little precious about her. She was not as bad as you would seem to think.’

‘So! You are an expert on voice now, are you?’

‘I have not lived most of my life in an opera house without learning something about it.’

‘True. But her voice did not suit me.’

‘You certainly made that obvious.’

‘To her?’ There was a faintly hopeful quality in his tone, and she frowned.

‘No, to me.’

‘Oh.’ He looked disappointed. ‘How, then, did you get rid of her? She seemed to be armed invincibly in her own conceit.’

‘I shall not tell you that. You may just be glad that I have. She has removed to the Opéra Paris.’

He laughed. ‘Oh, good. She will adorn their house admirably. Die Fledermaus, hmm? Bat is certainly the right description for her.’

‘I thought you said she was like a hen.’

‘If you wish to pick me up on it, then you should get your facts right. Sounded like a hen was what I said. And I still say it.’

‘She is a famous diva. You must not say such things of her. Besides, I thought her very handsome.’

‘Eh bien, she is not to my taste.’ He made a moue. ‘Bat, hen, what does it matter, if she looks like the one and sounds like the other? She still cannot sing.’ His eye fell to the tray with the post. ‘Another letter?’ He snatched it up. ‘But why did you not bring them to me, as always?’

‘I was on the point of it when ...’

For the first time, he seemed prepared to open the pink, scented envelope in her presence. ‘Pardon me, Madame,’ he murmured, turning it over to break the seal. ‘This may be important ... But what is this?’ His eyes met hers in accusation. ‘It has already been opened. You opened this?’

‘No, my dear, of course not. It looks as if it has been wet, out in the weather. See how the seal is not broken, but lifted away from the paper?’

‘Or steamed open. Tell me the truth. Have you read this?’

‘No. Perhaps you are unaware that it is not comme il faut to read the private mail of others?’

‘That would stop you, would it?’

‘Of course.’

‘You need not sound so self-righteous.’ He took out a crisp, white sheet and, glancing at it, let it fall onto the tray. ‘Very well, you have my permission to read it. Go on.’

She picked it up. On it was written Paris, a date and time, and nothing else. Part of her registered that it was next Tuesday.

‘Makes sense to you, does it?’

‘No.’

He reached into his fob pocket. ‘Perhaps this will help. You may consign them both to the fire at your leisure, of course. You need not look for any more pink envelopes. This is the last one.’ Throwing a card on the table, he turned away, leaving the house as it slid off the tray onto the floor.

Retrieving it, she read the legend, raising troubled eyes to the door as it slammed shut behind him. ‘H. G. Merlin, Investigator.’ What was he up to now?

Chapter Three

Le Marché

3 May 1892

I am obsessed by Curiosity. This is the date on the most recent of the letters, which Angel has been so secretive about. I would like to stay to find out their Significance, but I cannot. It is Market day, and there are too many things that I need.

Sometimes—and I have said it before—I wish that I could be in two Places at once.

Happily bargaining in the market place with vendors of fine lace, braid, sequins and other decorations, Madame Dupont was interrupted by a richly dressed manservant who spoke to her briefly. Nodding, she completed her purchases and made her way to the Café de Flore.

A vision in white rose from a table to fling herself into her arms and greet her with a familiar cry, ‘Ma mère, ma mère! I am so happy to see you again.’

‘Katarina, dear child—what a wonderful surprise! Let me look at you ... But you are blooming, my dear, positively blooming!’

The comte drew himself up proudly and, bowing over her hand, invited her to join them. ‘Have this chair, Madame. Such a pleasure to renew our acquaintance ... You will sit with us awhile? You will take coffee with us? Bien.’ He snapped his fingers with authority. ‘Garçon!’

After they had discussed the high points of their tour, the comte