«The most important result of this winter in Vienna was the friendship established with the Gomperz family, who at that time were the centre of artistic and intellectual life there. Theodor Gomperz was a distinguished philosopher; his brother Julius, also a well-known man of letters, married Caroline Bettelheim, a girl born in very humble circumstances who had risen to fame as a contralto singer at the Opera. After her marriage she retired from both stage and concert-room and never sang in public except for charity. Besides Theodor and Julius Gomperz there were two sisters, Josephine (Frau von Wertheimstein) and Sophie (Baroness Todesco). The three ladies took Ferruccio completely under their protection. Julius and Caroline, being childless, even proposed to adopt him as their own son, but his parents could not be persuaded to part with him. Baroness Todesco provided him with a tutor for German and general subjects, besides contributing freely towards his other expenses. Frau von Wertheimstein was no less large-hearted, and for many years to come Ferruccio was assisted by their generosity. He derived perhaps still more precious benefits from their genuine personal affection, their wise counsels, and their constant thoughtfulness for his interests.» [DENT, pp. 20-21] ___________________________________________________