Since the news of the death of my dear friend I have been very, very ill. I almost thought I should soon follow him. I am still for the most part very unwell. Everything still seems like an incredible, horrible dream and there are moments when I cannot abandon the thought that Theodore will visit me this summer. I am yet far from growing accustomed to doing without so dear a being. I feel orphaned. To whom can I now say all those things for which I knew there would be a sympathetic response in the heart of my friend? And how can I now prove to you my gratitude for all that I owe to your splendid husband?
How can I befriend our little Siegfried? I have reserved the copy of my new Nibelungen poem intended for Theodore for the little one. I yearn for the time when I shall see your children and may be allowed to take an active share in their upbringing. And now please get Herr Rühlmann to give me accurate news of yourself and your circumstances. You yourself would delight me greatly with news at any time. No doubt you will already have found true friends in Emilie Ritter and her mother? May I ask you to keep my letters to the dear departed strictly to yourself, unless you prefer to destroy them? They are not suitable for anyone to see, as they are mostly of a very intimate nature and there is much in them which could only be understood aright by Theodore. If you insist upon parting with the small sum of money belonging to me which came into your hands through your husband's death, will you convey it to my wife's poor parents? But if you are ever in a situation to make use of my friendly assistance, do indeed give me the pleasure of calling upon me without reserve.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 239