Anton proposed the health of the quartette.

The quartette returned thanks in some embarrassment, having been dissolved for about a month.

It came out, however, from certain dark hints given by the first bass, that Specht had been unreasonable in his demands upon them.

He had wished to make use of the quartette to serenade the charming Zillibi, the _prima donna_ of the circus; and when the basses declined, Specht had flown into a violent passion, and sworn he would never sing with them till they consented.
"If he had been content to serenade her in the evening," said Balbus, "we might, perhaps, have given in for the sake of peace, but he maintained that it must be at four o'clock in the morning, as it was then that the riding-master rose to feed his horses.

That was too much.
Meanwhile the lady ran off with a Bajazzo." "That is not true," cried Specht; "the Bajazzo carried her off by force." "At all events, it has been a fortunate incident for us," said Anton, "as it releases these gentlemen from the observance of their vows.