Jealousy

Chopin's Mazurka in F minor drew me out into the drawing room at last, to take my silent position upon the sofa. [...] He didn't notice my presence-he never notices anything when he plays!-but the cat did. I saw her sit upright on the piano and look at me with hostility.
Go away, she seemed to be saying, we don't need you here!
At other times I had permitted her slit-eyed enmity to drive me back into my room, but
today I was determined not to give ground; I wished to hear Erik play and I would not be intimidated by a jealous feline. I stayed on the couch and watched the animal prepare for war. She leapt down onto the center of the keyboard, fracturing his beautiful music into jarring discord. Only an animal would have dared to disturb him like that and only an animal would have received such indulgence in return.
"My darling," he protested laughingly. The depth of love in those two words caused all the muscles in my stomach to tighten with sudden rage, but still I did not move to betray my presence. [...]
Willful and insatiable, the cat continued to seek his attention until at last he capitulated to her demand and lifted her into his arms. With the ease of long familiarity she came to rest with her head and front paws stretched over his shoulder, and there she remained, smug and sleek with contentment, working her claws rhythmically into the dark fabric of his tailcoat.
The blue eyes, half closed with pleasure, seemed to regard me with the superiority of unquestioned possession, as though suddenly she understood that she had nothing to fear from me.
No need for jealousy, no need to flaunt her little powers of seduction. I could not hope to take him from her.
I did not dare!
Christine, Susan Kay's Phantom, pg 376

Another scene that I've been wanting to paint for awhile, but had trouble deciding on what perspective/composition to use.
Also, 'thanks' to my Mom's Victorian sofa for allowing me to sketch it.

Detail pics
Erik: [link]
Christine: [link]


16x20 inches, 4 hours