March before a large assemblage. On the morning of the same day I had
once more to play over to him the Sonata, but was very nervous. "Why do
you play less well to-day?" he asked. I replied that I was afraid.
"Why? I consider you play it well," he rejoined very gravely, indeed,
severely. "But if you wish to play this evening as nobody played before
you, and nobody will play after you, well then!"...These words restored
my composure. The thought that I played to his satisfaction possessed
me also in the evening; I had the happiness of gaining Chopin's approval
and the applause of the audience. Then he played with me the Andante of
his F minor Concerto, which he accompanied magnificently on the second
piano. The entire assemblage assailed him with the request to perform
some more of his compositions, which he then did to the delight of all.

For eighteen months (he did not leave Paris this summer) I was allowed
to enjoy his instruction. How willingly would I have continued my
studies with him longer! But he himself was of opinion that I should
now return to my fatherland, pursue my studies unaided, and play much
in public. On parting he presented me with the two manuscripts of his
C sharp major and E major studies (dedicated to Liszt), and promised to
write during his stay in the country a concert-piece and dedicate it to
me.

In the end of the year 1844 I went again to Paris, and found Chopin
looking somewhat stronger. At that time his friends hoped for the
restoration of, or at least for a considerable improvement in, his
health.

The promised concert-piece, Op. 46, had to my inexpressible delight been
published. I played it to him, and he was satisfied with my playing
of it; rejoiced at my successes in Vienna, of which he had been told,
exerted himself with the amiability peculiar to him to make me still
better known to the musical world of Paris. Thus I learned to know
Auber, Halevy, Franchomme, Alkan, and others. But in February, 1845,1
was obliged to return to Vienna; I had pupils there who were waiting for
me. On parting he spoke of the possibility of coming there for a short
time, and I had quite made up my mind to return for another visit
to Paris in eighteen months, in order again to enjoy his valuable
instruction and advice. But this, to my deepest regret, was not to be.

I saw Madame Sand in the year 1841 and again in the year 1845 in a box
in a theatre, and had an opportunity of admiring her beauty. I ne