This lady relates a touching incident about Liszt and a young music
mistress:
"Liszt was still at Weimar, and no one could venture to encroach upon
his scant leisure by a letter of introduction. I saw him constantly at
the mid-day table d'hote. His strange, impressive figure as he sat at
the head of the table was a sight to remember; the brilliant eyes that
flashed like diamonds, the long hair, in those days only iron gray,
the sensitive mouth, the extraordinary play of expression, once
seen, could never fade from memory. Everything, indeed, about him was
phenomenal--physiognomy, appearance, mental gifts; last, but not least,
amiability of character and an almost morbid terror of inflicting pain.
This characteristic, of course, led him into many embarrassments, at the
same time into the committal of thousands of kind actions; often at the
sacrifice of time, peace of mind, and, without doubt, intellectual
achievements.
"As I proposed to spend some months at Weimar, I engaged a music
mistress, one of Liszt's former pupils, whom I will call Fraeulein Marie.
'I will myself introduce you to the Herr Doctor,' she said. 'To his
pupils he refuses nothing.' I must add that Fraeulein Marie was in better
circumstances than most German teachers of music. She had, I believe,
some small means of her own, and belonged to a very well-to-do family.
The poor girl, who was, as I soon found out, desperately in love with
her master, got up a charming little fete champetre in his honour and my
own. A carriage was ordered, picnic baskets packed, and one brilliant
summer afternoon hostess and guests started for Tieffurt. The party
consisted of Liszt, Fraeulein Marie, a violinist of the other sex, a
young lady pianist from a neighbouring town, and myself. Liszt's
geniality and readiness to enter into the spirit of the occasion were
delightful to witness. The places of honour were assigned to the English
stranger and the violinist, Liszt insisting on seating a pupil on
each side, on the opposite seat of the carriage, not in the least
disconcerted by such narrow accommodation. Thus, chatting and laughing,
all of us in holiday mood, we reached the pretty park and chateau of
Tieffurt.
"As the evening was cool, we supped inside the little restaurant, and
here a grievous disappointment awaited our hostess. Tieffurt is
celebrated for its trout; indeed this delicacy is as much an attraction
to many visitors as its literary and artistic associations. But
although trout had been ordered by letter beforehand none was
forthcoming wherewith to fete the Maestro. Fraeulein Marie was in tears.
Liszt's gaiety and affection, however, put everything right. He cut
brown bread and butter for the two girls, and made them little
sandwiches with the excellent cold wurst. 'Ah, das schmeckt so gut,'
they cried, as they thanked him adoringly. He told stories; he made the
rest do the same. 'Erzaehlen von Erfurt' (tell us Erfurt news), he said
to the young lady guest. The moments passed all too rapidly. Then in the
clear delicious twilight we drove back to Weimar, his pupils kissing his
hands reverentially as he quitted us. So far all had been bright,
joyous, transparent; but I soon discovered that this charming girl, who
possessed the vivacity of a French woman, combined with the schwaermerei
or sentimentality of a Teutonic maiden, was rendered deeply unhappy by
her love for Liszt.
"He was at that time enmeshed in the toils of another and far less
guileless passion. Whilst to his gentle and innocent pupil he could
accord only the affection of a loving and sympathetic friend and master,
there were other women about him. Fraeulein Marie's hapless sentiment
could never discredit either herself or its object, but it occasioned a
good deal of embarrassment and wretchedness, as we shall see. A few days
after this gay al fresco tea she came to me in great distress, begging
me forthwith to deliver a little note into the master's hand. I was
reluctantly obliged to delegate the delicate mission to a hired
messenger. Ill would it have become a stranger to interfere in these
imbroglios. Moreover, at that very time Liszt had, as I have hinted, a
love affair on his hands--had, in fact, momentarily succumbed to the
influence of one of those women who were his evil genius. Just ten years
later I revisited Weimar, and my first inquiry of common friends was
after my sweet young music mistress. 'Fraeulein Marie! Alas!' replied my
informant, 'the poor girl has long been in a maison de sante.' Her love
for Liszt ended in loss of reason."