Your faithfully attached
F.L.
(Villa d'Este) October 31st, 1875
178. To Madame Jessie Laussot
Very Dear and Kind Friend,
Although I scarcely know how sufficiently to express my gratitude to you for all the proofs of friendship you have constantly shown me during twenty years, I am quite convinced that no misunderstanding would ever be possible between us. You know my good intentions from the outset, and in case of necessity you divine them with the heart's most penetrating and delicate intelligence.
I add to my thanks for your last letter a request which you will certainly grant, by assuring our very honored friend Hillebrand of my sincere devotedness. In addition, assure him also that my zeal in serving my gracious master, the Grand Duke of Saxony, will never be used to the detriment of any one, and that I especially take into consideration the proprieties appropriate to the merits and position of individualities that I esteem and love.
So then we will discuss "academicamente," at your house in
Florence (after my return from Hungary, towards the middle of
February), the subject of Hillebrand's spending some months each
year at Weimar.
This could be brought about under reciprocally pleasant conditions; I confess that I take a rather egotistical interest in it…but without failing in the duties of friendship.
In a week's time, Mdlle. Adelheid de Schorn accompanies her aunt- -"the Lady Abbess von Stein"— back to Germany. She will bring you two or three books of music from me.