that life would be very different if he had a good angel to watch over
him, such as he had in his sister.

Franz little knew that his words fell upon Beethoven like seed on eager
soil. From that time on he looked at Therese with different eyes. His
own love soon taught him to know that he was loved in return. No
pledge had yet passed between them when, in May, 1806, he went to
Montonvasar on a visit; but one evening there, when Therese was
standing at the piano listening to him play, he softly intoned Bach's--

"Would you your true heart show me,
Begin it secretly,
For all the love you trow me,
Let none the wiser be.
Our love, great beyond measure,
To none must we impart;
So, lock our rarest treasure
Securely in your heart."

Next morning they met in the park. He told her that at last he had
discovered in her the model for his Leonore, the heroine of his opera
"Fidelio." "And so we found each other"--these were the simple words
with which, many years later, Therese concluded the narrative of her
betrothal with Beethoven to Miriam Tenger.

The engagement had to be kept a secret. Had it become known, it would
have ended in his immediate dismissal by the Countess' mother. In only
one person was confidence reposed, Franz, the devoted brother and
treasured friend. Therese's income was small, and Franz, knowing the
opposition with which the proposed match would meet, pointed out to