occurred for a long time afterwards.

At first we had to console him, and stimulate his confidence by
our cheerfulness. His appointment was soon arranged. He was to
share Karl's contract at the theatre, and enjoy the same rights;
both were to receive a small salary, and I was to continue to act
as surety for their capabilities.

At this time they happened to be rehearsing a musical comedy, and
Hans, without any knowledge of the subject, took up his position
at the conductor's desk and handled the baton with great vigour
and remarkable skill. I felt safe as far as he was concerned, and
all doubt as to his ability as musical director vanished on the
spot. But it was a somewhat difficult task to overcome Karl's
misgivings about himself, owing to the idea ingrained in his mind
that he never could become a practical musician. A growing
shyness and secret antipathy towards me soon manifested itself
and became more noticeable in this young man, in spite of the
fact that he was certainly gifted. It was impossible to keep him
any longer in his position or to ask him to conduct again.

Bulow also soon encountered unexpected difficulties. The manager
and his staff, who had been spoiled by my having conducted on the
occasion already mentioned, were always on the look-out for some
fresh excuse for requisitioning my services.

I did, in fact, conduct again a few times, partly to give the
public a favourable impression of the operatic company, which was
really quite a good one, and partly to show my young friends,
especially Bulow, who was so eminently adapted for a conductor,