y unharness!' always makes
one sad."

This indirect invitation for a longer stay, which was heartily seconded
by the rest of the family, obliged the travelers to explain their urgent
reason for declining it; yet they readily agreed that the start need not
be made so early as to interfere with a meeting at breakfast.

They stood, talking in groups, a little while longer. Mozart looked
about him, apparently for Eugenie; since she was not there he turned
naively with his question to Franziska.

"What do you think, on the whole, of our Don Juan? Can you prophesy
anything good for him?"

"In the name of my aunt, I will answer as well as I can," was the
laughing reply. "My opinion is that if Don Juan does not set the world
mad, the good Lord may shut up his music chests for years to come, and
give mankind to understand--"

"And give mankind," corrected the Count, "the bag-pipes to play on, and
harden the hearts of the people so that they worship Baal."

"The Lord preserve us!" laughed Mozart. "But in the course of the next
sixty or seventy years, long after I am gone, will arise many false
prophets."

Eugenie approached, with the Baron and Max; the conversation took a new
turn, growing ever more earnest and serious, and the composer, ere the
company separated, rejoiced in many a word of encouragement and good
cheer. Finally, long after midnight, all retired; nor, till then, had
any one felt weary.

Next day--for the fair weather still held--at ten o'clock a handsome
coach, loaded with the effects of the two travelers, stood in the
courtyard. The Count, with Mozart, was waiting for the horses to be put
in, and asked the master how the carriage pleased him.

"Very well, indeed; it seems most comfortable." "Good! Then be so kind
as to keep it to remind you of me."

"What! You are not in earnest?"

"Why not?"

"Holy Sixtus and Calixtus! Constanze, here!" he called up to the window
where, with the others, she sat looking out. "The coach is mine. You
will ride hereafter in your own carriage."

He embraced the smiling donor, and examined his new possession on all
sides; finally he threw open the door and jumped in, exclaiming: "I feel
as rich and happy as Ritter Gluck. What eyes they will make in Vienna!"

"I hope," said the Countess, "when you return from Prague, to see your
carriage again, all hung with wreaths."

Soon after this last happy scene the much-praised carriage moved away
with the departing guests, a