One evening he spoke of it to Achille Roussin, and when, by request, he had tried to give him an idea of it on the piano, he was amazed to see Roussin burst into enthusiasm, and declare that it must at all costs be produced at one of the theaters, and that he would see to it. He was even more amazed when, a few days later, he saw that Roussin was perfectly serious: and his amazement grew to stupefaction when he heard that Sylvain Kohn, Goujart, and Lucien Lévy-Coeur were taking it up. He had to admit that their personal animosity had yielded to their love of art: and he was much surprised. The only man who was not eager to see his work produced was himself. It was not suited to the theater: it was nonsense, and almost hurtful to stage it. But Roussin was so insistent, Sylvain Kohn so persuasive, and Goujart so positive, that Christophe yielded to the temptation. He was weak. He was so longing to hear his music! It was quite easy for Roussin. Manager and artist rushed to please him. It happened that a newspaper was organizing a benefit matinee for some charity. It was arranged that the _David_ should be produced. A good orchestra was got together. As for the singers, Roussin claimed that he had found the ideal representative of David. The rehearsals were begun. The orchestra came through the first reading fairly well, although, as usual in France, there was not much discipline about it. Saul had a good, though rather tired, voice: and he knew his business. The David was a handsome, tall, plump, solid lady with a sentimental vulgar voice which she used heavily, with a melodramatic tremolo and all the café-concert tricks. Christophe scowled. As soon as she began to sing it was obvious that she could not be allowed to play the part. After the first pause in the rehearsal he went to the impresario, who had charge of the business side of the undertaking, and was present, with Sylvain Kohn, at the rehearsal. The impresario beamed and said: "Well, are you satisfied?" "Yes," said Christophe. "I think it can be made all right There's only one thing that won't do: the singer. She must be changed. Tell her as gently as you can: you're used to it.... It will be quite easy for you to find me another." The impresario looked disgruntled: he looked at Christophe as though he could not believe that he was serious; and he said: "But that's impossible!" "Why is it impossible?" asked Christophe. The impresario looked cunningly at Sylvain Kohn, and replied: "But she has so much talent!" "Not a spark," said Christophe. "What!... She has a fine voice!" "Not a bit of it." "And she is beautiful." "I don't care a damn." "That won't hurt the part," said Sylvain Kohn, laughing. "I want a David, a David who can sing: I don't want Helen of Troy," said Christophe. The impresario rubbed his nose uneasily.