They quickened their pace. Soon they reached the Rhine, crossed it, and went on to Bonn, which was already growing dim in the gathering twilight. When their ways separated they parted from one another, but Wegeler promised he would certainly visit Beethoven the next evening, and hoped that he would bring him some good and cheering news. With a last cordial shake of the hand they separated, and Beethoven flew rather than walked through the streets, that he might reach his dwelling in the narrow and gloomy Bonn Gasse as quickly as possible; for it was already late, and the house door might be closed with the coming of darkness.
New Friends
Wegeler kept his word. With a beaming countenance he appeared at Beethoven’s house the next evening and exultantly said: “I have succeeded. Congratulate yourself, friend Ludwig! I shall introduce you this evening to a family with whom you will feel perfectly at home.”
“And what kind of a family might that be?” said Beethoven, distrustfully. “You know I am not adapted to all the world, and that all the world is not adapted to me.”
“But this family is in no way of the character which you so sweepingly apply to the world,” replied Wegeler. “You will find it a model of the noblest sociality and a place where art and science are most zealously cherished. It is the family of the widow, Frau Hofrathin von Breuning,[17] to which I have permission to introduce you.”
“Ah! the Frau Hofrathin von Breuning,” cried Ludwig, with a perceptibly brighter countenance. “Truly that is something different from what I mean by ‘all the world.’ I have heard of this family. They are lovely people.”
“The best in the world, Ludwig,” eagerly protested Wegeler. “So hasten. Get yourself in readiness. They are expecting us immediately.”
“I am already dressed,” replied Beethoven, haughtily. “I have no other coat than this threadbare one. If they won’t have me in this, they shall not have me at all.”
“Unruly, stubborn, cross-grained fellow that you are!” exclaimed Wegeler, with a laugh. “Will you never learn to master your capricious nature? Come along even in your threadbare coat. These dear people into whose circle I shall take you care only for your heart and disposition, not for your clothes. You are, like all geniuses, a most ridiculous fellow. But that does not signify. You already know them, and consequently you will learn to appreciate them. Frankly, you should not appear wilful and capricious, but behave like a polite youth, and occasionally perform something on the piano in your own style. They are very fond of music and have much of it at their home. The Elector’s chapelmaster Ries,[18] whom you know, and other members of the chapel, often enjoy pleasant intercourse in this hospitable home, and we certainly shall meet some of them there this evening.”
“Now, that is a splendid suggestion,” said Beethoven, with gleaming eyes. “Then I can appear as I am. Yes, they shall learn to know me! I have composed to-day a trio for pianoforte, violin, and violoncello. We will take it with us. If a violin and violoncello can be had I will play the piano, and they will open their eyes, these people, when they hear my composition.”