Dearest Protector and Friend!
How you put me to shame! God knows I had forgotten the holy Francis—to my great disgrace. Now your friendly reminder reached me very late, too, and by this delay you might have guessed already that this time we shall be considered to have arrived too late for the saint. Now I've spent my whole "American trip" fee in Italy; besides, many a thing could be found in antique shops which delighted and satisfied my wife. I myself was quite occupied by the most unpleasant worries and experiences in regard to my "national" undertaking, etc., and so I almost never found the peace of mind to enjoy what I saw.
Now we are to return to the cold and snow which will make us akin to you in Neulengbach. There we expect, according to our request, friendly news from you again. With most cordial greetings, your most faithful
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 336