Dearest friend,
I received today the enclosed letter from the Härtels. In it they refer to a letter addressed to you, and in case this latter contains any indications as to how the business might be settled, I should like you to send it to me. Otherwise it would be of no use to me.
It is a sad thing that, in order to have a certain income for the next few years, I am compelled to offer my work for sale in this manner, and in different circumstances I should calmly bide my time in the firm hope that people would come to me. As it is, I am compelled to try everything, so as to tempt the Härtels to this purchase. Above all, I perceive that your time and occupations will not allow you to acquaint those gentlemen thoroughly with my music. I have, therefore, invited them to come here this summer, and to meet Klindworth, who has announced his visit to me. With his aid I shall give them a piece of my Nibelungen, which will give them some notion of it.
Be good enough, therefore, to return to me for some time the pianoforte score of Rhinegold, which we shall want for that purpose.
Delight me soon with satisfactory news of you; you know what I mean by this.
Farewell, and be greeted a thousand times.
(I want Härtels' letter back again.)
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 241