Stein's after dinner, so the young man offered to take me there
himself. I thanked him for his kindness, and promised to return
at two o'clock. I did so, and we went together in company with
his brother-in-law, who looks a genuine student. Although I had
begged that my name should not be mentioned, Herr von Langenmantl
was so incautious as to say, with a simper, to Herr Stein, "I
have the honor to present to you a virtuoso on the piano." I
instantly protested against this, saying that I was only an
indifferent pupil of Herr Sigl in Munich, who had charged me with
a thousand compliments to him. Stein shook his head dubiously,
and at length said, "Surely I have the honor of seeing M.
Mozart?" "Oh, no," said I; "my name is Trazom, and I have a
letter for you." He took the letter and was about to break the
seal instantly, but I gave him no time for that, saying, "What is
the use of reading the letter just now? Pray open the door of
your saloon at once, for I am so very anxious to see your
pianofortes." "With all my heart," said he, "just as you please;
but for all that I believe I am not mistaken." He opened the
door, and I ran straight up to one of the three pianos that stood
in the room. I began to play, and he scarcely gave himself time
to glance at the letter, so anxious was he to ascertain the
truth; so he only read the signature. "Oh!" cried he, embracing
me, and crossing himself and making all sorts of grimaces from
intense delight. I will write to you another day about his
pianos. He then took me to a coffee-house, but when we went in I
really thought I must bolt, there was such a stench of tobacco-
smoke, but for all that I was obliged to bear it for a good hour.
I submitted to it all with a good grace, though I could have
fancied that I was in Turkey. He made a great fuss to me about a
certain Graf, a composer (of flute concertos only); and said, "He