At length it became time for him to return to Prague again, and on the eve of his home-going he received a letter from Caroline, which she said she had been for weeks trying in vain to write.  She was now convinced that they must absolutely give up all thought of love and marriage.  This blow smote him to the ground.  He had no strength even for wrath; he could only write in abject meekness, as if thanking her for delaying the blow so long: 

“Be not angry, my beloved one, that I repeat my words of love and sorrow again and again.  They flow from a pure heart, that knows no other wish than your happiness.  When time shall have gone by, and you can look back in peace and quiet on the broken tie between us, you will then acknowledge that never was a truer heart than mine.  Thanks, my dearest life, my never-to-be-forgotten love, for the many sweet flowers you have woven into the garland of my life, for all your love, for all your care.  Forgive me for my excess of love—­forgive the passion that may have torn many a wound, when it should have soothed and healed—­forgive me all the sorrow I have caused you, though Heaven knows it was through no will of mine—­forgive me for having stolen one whole sweet year of your precious life, for which I would willingly give ten of my own, could I but buy it back for you....  Farewell—­farewell.”

On the 7th of September he arrived in Prague.  His first view of Caroline was as she sang the Cinderella on the stage.  The sight of her was too much; he broke down and ran home.  But still, as director, he must frequently meet her in more or less familiar situations.  And as for her, she later confessed that she was suffering even more than Carl.

Her every strength and resolution melted away one afternoon in the autumn, at a reception, where the lovers met face to face.  Their gaze blended; their hands blended; the war was over.

Instantly, with the resumption of his love-life, his interest in music began again.  Caroline, apparently alarmed at the condition of his health, never robust, persuaded her mother to let him board at her house.  New health and old-time gaiety began again.  But he was tired of Prague, and determined to find a larger field elsewhere.  While he was hunting for a place for himself, he secured a starring engagement for Caroline at the then high salary of ten gold louis, per performance.  Before he left Prague, he announced his engagement publicly.  By a curious coincidence, the engagement was announced at a reception, just after a total eclipse of the sun.  When the daylight came out of the darkness, Carl rose and proclaimed his conquest.

On Christmas morning he received a costly ring from the King of Hanover, a splendid snuff-box from the King of Bavaria, and an appointment as Kapellmeister to the King of Saxony.