My wife will return in a fortnight, after having finished her cure, which will have lasted three months.  My anxiety about her was terrible, and for two months I had to expect the news of her death from day to day.  Her health was ruined, especially by the immoderate use of opium, taken nominally as a remedy for sleeplessness.  Latterly the cure she uses has proved highly beneficial; the great weakness and want of appetite have disappeared, and the recovery of the chief functions (she used to perspire continually), and a certain abatement of her incessant excitement, have become noticeable.  The great enlargement of her heart will be bearable to her only if she keeps perfectly calm and avoids all excitement to her dying day.  A thing of this kind can never be got rid of entirely.  Thus I have to undertake new duties, over which I must try to forget my own sufferings.  Well, and how about you?  Will you come to my assistance again this year?  Your kind heart promises me to do so every year, but, during the nine years of my exile, I have succeeded only twice in tearing you away from your great dense world.  Although you have promised me your visit for this year, you will find it natural if I am not too certain of seeing my wish fulfilled.  I must add several marks of interrogation and of prayer.

Cordial thanks to the dear, heavenly Child for her last letter; I hope my silence was eloquent.

A thousand greetings and cordial responses to you three dear ones!  I also wish to be remembered to F. Muller, who sent me a beautiful letter of congratulation on my birthday.  I shall write to him soon, without fail.

Farewell, dear Franz.  You can imagine how often I am with you, especially when Tausig is sitting at the piano.  Between us, all is one.  Farewell, and continue to love me.

Your

R. W.

261.

Dearest Richard,

When I saw the Grand Duke last night for the first time after his return, he told me much about the visit you paid him at Lucerne.  I do not know what impression your acquaintance with him has left on you, as we have had no news from you for such a long time, but from what I have heard, and what has already happened, I conclude with tolerable certainty that we shall see you here for the first performance of “Tristan”, At the latest. May God grant that it will be sooner; and I need not tell you that nothing I can do will be left undone.

Dingelstedt will shortly write to you about “Rienzi”, which is to be performed next season, in December or January.  Last winter we were unable to get on with the work for reasons which, as they exist no longer, are not sufficiently important to be discussed.

Let me soon hear from you.

Your

F. L.

July 3rd, 1858.

I enclose a letter to Tausig, which you will be kind enough to hand to him.

How is he getting on at Zurich, and what do you think of him?