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Budapest, January 1, 1912
Grand Hotel Royal
Nagy Szalloda
Dear Professor,
I can't wait for the reply to my New Year's letter—and I have to report in all haste about great changes.—
Everything seems to be settled—Elma and I in agreement with each other and with ourselves; my attempts to interpose a hiatus failed at Elma's and Frau G.'s urging—as well as at the weakness of my resistance. At the last minute, when the already completed plan was presented to Elma's father,
he made a few hesitant objections by alluding to Elma's earlier engagement, which had been called off a few years ago. At that, to my amazement, certain doubts crept into Elma's mind. That made me suspicious. I inquired further and learned from her (what I certainly should have learned in her analysis) that every time she wishes something especially strongly, she inwardly feels an inability to wish (as well as to hate) without reservation. That always made her so unhappy.
She then sought to soften the impression, and I have to admit that she can show a degree of devotion and tenderness that we and she herself earlier thought her incapable of. But the scales fell from my eyes, and when, even after this scene, her presence did not fail to arouse feelings of tenderness in me, I had to recognize that the issue here should be one not of marriage but of the treatment of an illness. Of course, I myself cannot continue the treatment. After many bitter tears (which certainly had partly to do with her own fate) she consented to go to Vienna and enter treatment with you. I and Frau G.—we could hardly decide to entrust her with anyone else. The family has been advised of the fee.—If I get a positive response from you—which I very, very much wish—I will go to Vienna on Saturday evening, she will leave a day earlier, and on Sunday I can turn her over to you.—I have little doubt about the outcome of the matter—I have also attempted to prepare Elma for the possibility of breaking the engagement. I will naturally stand asi