The Carlsruhe performance of “Tristan” in September will be a great joy to me.  The Grand Duke of Baden be praised and thanked for it.  You will reward his kindness and grace in a glorious manner.

What will become of me in the course of this year is quite uncertain.  First of all I shall see you in Paris.

Your

F. Liszt.

Weymar, April 26th, 1861.

An answer would be too late to find me here.

315.

Paris, June 15th, 1861.

Dearest Franz,

A few days ago I received a telegram from Leipzig for Tausig, in which he was requested to send his address.  Today followed a letter for him, accompanied by one to me, in which I am asked for information as to Tausig and his whereabouts.  I think it unnecessary to give that information, because I assume that Tausig has either seen the person in question at Leipzig or given news of himself.  I therefore ask you to transmit to our young friend these facts, and also the enclosed letter intended for him, as I do not know what to do with the latter.

Beyond this I have nothing to tell you, dearest Franz—­no event, no plan, no hope—­for not the slightest change has taken place in my position.

Farewell, and, if possible, make me happy soon by news of your well-being.

Cordially your

R. W.

3, Rue D’AUMALE.

316.

Dearest Richard,

A letter from my daughter, Mdme. Ollivier, informs me that your wife will go to Soden by the middle of this week, and that you intend to come to Weymar by the end of the month.

Your presence here, coming as it does at the end of my too much prolonged stay, will be a beautiful spiritual ray of sunlight; let me urgently pray you not to refuse me this joy.  On August 15th I intend to leave Weymar for a longer period, and have made the necessary preparations for my removal.

You will, of course, stay with me at Altenburg, where H. and T. also have quarters.  To the Grand Duke I have announced your visit, and I expect that your personal relations to him will be of a most pleasant and satisfactory kind.

How about your settling at Carlsruhe?  Have your pecuniary affairs been arranged in Paris, and how?  Let me know something about this.

As to myself I know nothing definite, except that I am going away from Weymar.  Many objections have of course been raised, which, however, have not been able to alter my resolution.  Between this and the beginning of August I shall fix on my next place of abode, which will, in any case, not for the present be a large town, because I want retirement and work above all.  Briefly speaking, my situation is indicated by this dilemma:  Either my marriage takes place, and that soon—­or not.  In the former case, Germany later on, and especially Weymar, may still be possible for me.  Otherwise no!