il now
Never thought of once, I vow."

_The Count_.

"Works that you shall live to see,
Great arch-thief of Italy;
That shall drive you to despair,
Clever Signor Bonbonniere."

_Max_.

"You may have a hundred years,"

_Mozart_.

"Unless you with all your wares,"

_All three, con forza_.

"Straight _zum Teufel_ first repair,
Clever Monsieur Bonbonniere."

The Count was loth to stop singing, and the last four lines of the
impromptu terzetto suddenly became a so-called "endless canon," and
Franziska's aunt had wit and confidence enough to add all sorts of
ornamentation in her quavering soprano. Mozart promised afterward to
write out the song at leisure, according to the rules of the art, and he
did send it to the Count after he returned to Vienna.

Eugenie had long ago quietly examined her inheritance from the
shrubbery of "Tiberius," and presently some one asked to hear the new
duet from her and Mozart. The uncle was glad to join in the chorus, and
all rose and hastened to the piano, in the large salon.

The charming composition aroused the greatest enthusiasm; but its very
character was a temptation to put music to another use, and indeed it
was Mozart himself who gave the signal, as he left the piano, to ask
Franziska for a waltz, while Max took up his violin. The Count was not
slow in doing the honors for Madame Mozart, and one after another joined
in the dance. Even Franziska's aunt became young again as she trod the
minuet with the gallant Lieutenant. Finally, as Mozart and the fair
Eugenie finished the last dance, he claimed his promised privilege.

It was now almost sunset, and the garden was cool and pleasant. There
the Countess invited the ladies to rest and refresh themselves, while
the Count led the way to the billiard room, for Mozart was known to be
fond of the game.

We will follow the ladies.

After they had walked about they ascended a little slope, half inclosed
by a high vine-covered trellis. From the hill they could look off into
the fields, and down into the streets of the village. The last rosy rays
of sunlight shone in through the leaves.

"Could we not sit here for a little," suggested the Countess, "if Madame
Mozart would tell us about herself and her husband?"

Madame Mozart was willing enough, and her eager listeners drew their
chairs close about her.

"I will tell you a story that you must know in order to understand a
little plan of mine. I wi