[...] I shall get to Berlin by the express early on Thursday. [...]
I shall then set out on my St. Petersburg journey at the same time as you—Saturday evening at latest. [...]
The number of projects I have on hand now is really astounding, and I am surprised myself that I still have the stuff in me for all this running backwards and forwards—still keep my tranquillity. I am here to see what is to be done about the new house of which Frickhöfer told me, so that when I am finished at the beginning of summer I may know where to find a roof to my head.
You continue to give me advice, while keeping your reasons for offering it a secret, so that, not knowing the reasons, I am unable to estimate its excellence. Herr von Guaita has been repulsed with suitable contumely by me for his attitude in the matter of the fee for Lohengrin. I can well believe that instead of feeling ashamed he merely feels angry. That, however, affords me no reason to visit him. Moreover, my relations with him have now become those of a rival, a circumstance which, though disagreeable to me, nevertheless makes me still less able to go through polite manœuvres with him. Poor Frederica's [Meyer's] case is a lamentable one, but it seems to be hopeless. She developed the most devoted confidence in me and I gladly endeavoured to prove worthy of it from so intellectual and talented a girl. Now, however, she appears to be deeply involved in this repugnant connection with Guaita, and her character, her shattered health, and the consequent interruption of her theatrical career, have brought about a situation in which she cannot wholly break with her lover. She is accordingly condemned to remain exposed to the most insupportable torments, and I cannot really do anything for her. She has given me much anxiety—God—who does not do so? [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 553