Your Imperial Highness!
I was truly distressed at receiving the summons to go to Y.I.H., which reached me very late last night, in fact not until eleven o’clock. Contrary to my habit I had not returned home in the afternoon. For the fine weather had tempted me to go for a walk for the whole afternoon, and in the evening I went to ‘Wanda’ at the Theater auf der Wieden; and thus it happened that only after my return home was I able to hear of your desire to see me – Meanwhile, should Y.I.H. consider it necessary, I am ready to betake myself to you at any moment, at any hour –– I await your gracious commands about this.
Your Imperial Highness’s
Most humble
Ludwig van Beethoven