Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of December 24, 1875

Overview

Christmas Eve is spent in preparation and gift-giving, crowned by R.'s deeply affectionate words and the dress he gives her. Afterward they read Don Quixote aloud and laugh freely, as if sorrow had temporarily been left outside the room.

Content

Friday, December 24:

Preparations from morning till evening. In the evening R. gives me a lovely dress, but loveliest of all are his words to me: “The only god I possess is my love for you.”

After the distribution of presents in the evening, R. reads Don Quixote aloud, and we laugh as heartily as if there were no such things as sorrow and concern.