My child,
My heart is bursting, I must share my news with someone dear to me. See here the picture of a wonderful youth whom fate has ordained shall be my redeemer. It is he for whom we were waiting and whose existence was never in doubt, but whom it fills me with awestruck amazement to find so fair of form. He sent out in search of me, no stone was left unturned. Our meeting yesterday was one great love-scene which seemed as though it would never end. He shows the deepest understanding of my nature & of my need. He offers me everything that I need to live, to create, and to perform my works. I am to be his friend, nothing more: no appointment, no functions to fulfil. It is all I ever wished for. - Here, read his letter - but send it back immediately. I covet it.
Not a word about our bond is to be given to the newspapers; it is purely an affair of the heart! And so (I implore you) be discreet, as though it were some tender love-affair. Not a word to Schott or Stadl - no one must know about it, except my friends in the Karthause amongst themselves.
Now my room in your house must be nice and welcoming for me in the future. I often think of living there in friendly, comfortable surroundings, whenever I visit you! Adieu! A thousand good wishes
R.W.
And for this to have happened now - now - in the blackest night of death of my whole existence!! I feel as though I have been crushed! - Let me have the letter back quickly. The picture of my beloved friend is yours to keep.
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 299