characteristic fashion: To Count Moritz Lichnowsky. I despise treachery. Do not visit me again. No concert. To Herrn Schuppanzigh. Let him not visit me more. I shall give no concert. To Schindler. I request you not to come again until I send for you. No concert. The three friends refused to take umbrage at Beethoven’s rudeness; the notes were not accompanied by a silken rope; they gave him time to get over his wrath and suspicion and then went on with the preparations for the concert. In the Conversation Book there appears a record of a consultation which may fairly be set down as that of the meeting at which Beethoven’s helpers employed their stratagem.[112] Schindler opens a page formally thus: Protocol of March 2. Present: Mr. L. van Beethoven, a _musikus_. Mr. Count v. Lichnowsky, an amateur. Mr. Schindler, a fiddler. Not yet present to-day: Mr. Schuppanzigh, a fiddler representing Mylord Fallstaff. [Sidenote: LOOKING AFTER DETAILS] At this consultation Schindler reports an offer from Palfy to furnish the Theater-an-der-Wien, orchestra, lights, etc., _appertinentia_ for 1000 florins, provided a second or third concert be given. At a moderate charge for admission (which would be necessary) he says the receipts would be 4000 florins, which would yield a profit of 2000 florins at the first concert and about 3000 at the second, when there would be no copying charges. The prices would not be so high as at the Ridotto Room. If Duport were to charge only 300 florins, there would still be a further charge of 300 florins for building the platform and no end of vexation and labor. Palfy wanted only his expenses. Would Beethoven authorize him (Schindler) and Lichnowsky to complete arrangements with Palfy? He need not be paid, and it would be possible to withdraw from the arrangement at any time. Haste was necessary, for a supervisor must be appointed--Umlauf or somebody else--so that rehearsals might begin. If Schuppanzigh were given too much to do and anything went ill the conductor would lay the blame on insufficient study. From the record of a subsequent consultation (in March) the following excerpts are made: _Lichnowsky_: It is right that the orchestra be doubled, but superfluous to engage more than are necessary; after Schuppanzigh and Umlauf know what is at their service at the Wiedener Theatre we can tell what is needed. _Schindler_: Lichnowsky says that a smaller orchestra is more effective at the Theater-an-der-Wien than a large one in the Ridotto Room. You need not take all at the Theater-an-der-Wien--none at all if you do not need them,--that is the arrangement with Palfy. _Lichnowsky_: Unnecessary expenses must be avoided. _Schindler_: You will not have to pay the forces at the Theater-an-der-Wien at all--so that may be deducted. The days of performance if agreeable to you would be the 22nd or 23rd or 24th of this month.