It is nearly four weeks since I took leave of my wife and not the slightest news of her has yet reached me. My anxiety is inexpressible. I have fled from Paris out of repugnance to staying there when it can be of no use to me. Cholera was raging when I left. Before going, I wrote to Minna and told her of my intention of settling with her in Zurich for a time. I hope she may listen to my entreaty and decide to rejoin me there. All preparations have been made on my part. From various sources Liszt is arranging for a safe yearly income which will in any case secure us a quiet life in a most charming place of residence. From there I shall attend to my affairs in Paris. If I am lucky, I intend to devote wholly the profits I expect from there to wiping off the debts I left in Dresden.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 152