Dear Minna,
You have no idea how sad you made me yesterday through not coming; and now I have just returned from the railway again, where I went to await you a second time — and again you hadn't come! — Now I find your letter waiting for me and see that I'm right, after all, in being a little quick in everything: something really comes off with it; whilst hesitation leads to nothing. — Get along, I'm very cross with you. If there were any chance of this letter reaching you by midday Monday, I should just have one more try, — namely, to induce you to take the express to Jüterbog on Monday evening and get here Tuesday noon. For Tuesday is my opera's second performance, which I've been pressingly invited to conduct as well. I have held the two full rehearsals myself, and also am to conduct this evening; the representation will go very well, Bötticher, Ziesche and Mantius are excellent; in spite of the house's smallness, you wouldn't recognise the machinery again, after Dresden: — I am expecting a good success — God grant it! — I shall write to Lüttichau tomorrow morning, that I cannot return before Thursday noon! —
Amend your ways! — I'm very cross with you, because I'm much too fond of you and miss you too unwillingly! Kind regards to the assistant!
Farewell!
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 15