Dearest Kietz!
I really intended to write you one of these days; I am glad you forestalled me.
I was very much put out to learn that you are to be had only for money. I should have liked to have you here; but I have no money to send you now. If you can't afford even the trip from Epernay to Paris so as to visit us, I really don't know what to say about it and what value to put on your assurances of friendship.
All that I can tell you is: start out, come to see us as soon as possible; you will be reimbursed at once for the expenses of your visit, this you may be sure of. I can't write you much; I really shouldn't know where to begin. I have already much to write. If I am not worth the small sacrifice of a visit, I really have no time to chat with you either.
Enough of this! Come tomorrow if possible! You will be heartily welcomed: for that will prove that we really still mean something to you.
Then you shall learn all kinds of news from us. If you were in Paris, as I certainly assumed would be the case when I came here, we could help you in many ways and you could stay with me from morning until night. But I am almost in despair. God knows what is keeping you in Epernay! I really can't understand it. Well, no offense.
Hearty greetings from me and Minna, and in return for your good wishes our wish is to have you here soon.
Your
R. W.
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 217