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Vienna, July 11, 1873
Dear Berganza,
I received your letter early this morning and, as a man of honor, I hasten to reply the same day. I did not enjoy your news, save for learning that my mother and sisters and the mischievous Alexander1 are in good health. As for yourself and your good wishes, which once more give me proof of your warm friendship, you will have gathered from my first letter that our hopes for a meeting in Roznau are vain because it seems to be my father's firm intention [not] to let me go to Roznau, and because I am neither able nor willing to go against his wishes. Regarding my English visit, I repeat my request that you tell no one about it. My mother would be the last person I would want to know until it is definitely settled. You have no right to be annoyed, for though I, too, miss you now and would miss you in similar circumstances, I have learned, in the absence of pleasant companions, to enjoy my solitude, which makes very agreeable company. Roznau has the most marvelous walks, the most secluded woods, an extensive and high mountain range and the tastiest of strawberries, and yet you manage to be bored in Roznau? Do on your own what we should do if we were together: walk, toy with your thoughts, drink water from the springs, and gather strawberries in the fields.
Perhaps you are unfulfilled, have nothing to think about? I keep silent about other matters to which you could turn your thoughts; is there not an Abraham who left you, saying: “Eliezer, thou knowest what the Lord hath bidden me: thou shalt not take a wife from amongst the daughters of this land which is a land of idolaters and sinners: but thou shalt go unto the land of my fathers where I was born, and which the Lord bade me leave, and bring me the portrait of one of the maidens that dwell in the land of my fathers. And the pious Eliezer replied, saying: Trust thy faithful servant Eliezer to do as thy Lord hath decreed.”2
I hope the allegory is clear. [Remainder missing.]
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