Dear Minna,
I really would have gladly come to you to-day, if a conveyance could have been anyhow arranged. So I am waiting till 8 days hence, from which time forward I shall be able to visit you regularly once a week and fetch myself good evidence of your performance. —
In place of your broken ring I am sending you to-day a whole one, which it's to be hoped will wear better than the old one, which was rather flimsy stuff. You shall have that back as well, though. —
I should have dined with the Wesendoncks at Huber's to-morrow, but had already declined for the Willes. This evening I'm expecting Herwegh and Semper here; let us hope I shall find the bottle of rum. Nothing has occurred since yesterday; everything is quiet and in order. It is only with great emotion that I watch the garden, since you cannot enjoy it in its waxing beauty. Friedrich is exemplary in his care; he has finished sowing the lawn all alone, as the gardener never came; whilst everything is nicely planted, and transplanted.
The house is quite in order otherwise. When I cast my eye around, I really must rejoice in the beautiful Asyl prepared us. It is and will be saved to us; we have to do with pure and noble people. Yet the winter shall be lightened for you, even next one; in any case we'll pass it somewhere that offers more distraction. About that in due time! —
For to-day, all that's best and fairest! and the heartiest wishes for your mending!
Thy R.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 127