I can never really belong to the world again. I like to think of myself as dead; all that I long for undisturbed leisure for is artistic work. Even Liszt's visit, which was rendered more noisy and restless this time than I could have wished owing to the Princess's presence, tired me almost as much as it unspirited me. Furthermore it was very disagreeable for me that, at the very beginning, Liszt's extraordinarily violent behaviour so offended Karl that he could not get over his displeasure in spite of Liszt's propitiatory advances and avoided our circle the whole time. This grieved me very deeply.
I confess to you frankly that Karl is becoming an increasingly important factor with me and my acquaintance a real benefit, indeed, which it is very painful for me to forgo. I hope you will soon hear that our friendly relations are unbroken. I have conceived the warmest and most intimate personal interest in the young married couple and Karl's strange fancies and freaks have a good spontaneous apologist in me when anyone is offended by them, so that I am glad to know that Frau Wesendonck likes him and befriends him and I find it an added reason for thinking well of her. I have a particular request to make to Emilie. Liszt has given me news of Jessie [Laussot] which has very greatly excited my interest. She is setting about carving out an independent and separate life for herself by establishing a school, and she has appealed for Liszt's help to this end. Now I want Emilie to give me a detailed account of Jessie's recent past and the amazing change which seems to have come about in her life. If it really should prove that Jessie has developed strength enough to extricate herself from unworthy dependence, no one would owe her warmer sympathy than myself; indeed, I might say I was put to shame by her. Altogether I am still not quite clear about the meaning of her unfortunate letter to Karl, in June 1850, which could not but place a great gulf between us. It would be very comforting to me to be able still to extend the hand of friendship to Jessie, now, when passion can no longer cloud our relationship.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 319