Perhaps I should preserve silence, since speech so grievously fails me at what you write! Nevertheless, my dear Fräulein, I must give you a sign; and thank you for having been able to express the dreadful news with such noble composure and with such touchingly kind sentiment towards me! With the same feelings with which you talked to me I speak to you, assured of your understanding of my sentiments!
The source of consolation lies only in grief itself, when it is apprehended as well as it is by you! I do not send you consolation — only my entire sympathy and my love.
If your dear father mentions us, will you tell him that in spirit we are lingering with him. Yet I have not had the courage to communicate your letter to my husband; scarcely a day passes that he does not think of his most tried and matchless friend!
Let me embrace you in silence!
Cosima Wagner
Source: The Letters of Richard Wagner to Anton Pusinelli, trans. and ed. Elbert Lenrow (Alfred A. Knopf, 1932), No. 106