`Erik,ā I cried, `show me your face without fear! I swear that you are the most unhappy and sublime of men; and, if ever again I shiver when I look at you, it will be because I am thinking of the splendor of your genius!ā Then Erik turned round, for he believed me, and I also had faith in myself. He fell at my feet, with words of love⦠with words of love in his dead mouthā¦and the music had ceased⦠He kissed the hem of my dress and did not see that I closed my eyes.















