My, Minna, it's quite nice here! Splendid drinking-water, excellent butter, and kind cheery people: what more would you have?
But the Envoy in Paris is without a peer. The first thing I learn on my arrival yesterday is that the Grand Duke had gone woodcock-shooting! I refused to believe it possible; but indeed it was so. He doesn't return till this evening; so I shall have to practise a little patience. The delay is no harm inasmuch as I see that it's just as well for me to come to some sort of understanding with Devrient first. The man is not to be eluded in the long run, and one might easily find him an obstruction.
So I am turning my time to fair advantage, and getting the thing as ship-shape as possible before I have the last word with the Grand Duke. Man proposes, God disposes. —
I couldn't sleep on the journey at all, and was much knocked up; this morning a cock awoke me: another new experience! — The cheapness here quite does one's heart good. — Na — in short, we'll see, but not reckon on anything! —
So — a very good morning to you! Greet Fipps and Jacquot. Take a thorough good rest, and be a good woman! —
(Kalliwoda, that kind good fellow — has this instant come.)
Fare a bit well!
Thy entirely good Husband.
(At the Erbprinz.)
I expect to get back about Monday or Tuesday. —
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 204