I say, Franz, a divine idea strikes me.
You must get me an Erard grand!
Write to the widow and tell her that you visit me three times every year, and that you must absolutely have a better grand piano than the old and lame one in my possession. Tell her a hundred thousand fibs, and make her believe that it is for her a point of honour that an Erard should stand in my house.
In brief, do not think, but act with the impudence of genius. I must have an Erard. If they will not give me one let them lend me one on a yard-long lease.
Adieu.
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 220