Letter from Edward Renouf to Anny Schey von Koromla

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13 September

Dear Baroness Schey!

No letters had come by midday today, neither from you, nor from my Parisian friend, nor from the ‘island’ friend, whom you must almost know already from all my eulogies. I thought I was going to have to spend these two days without a word from the other side of the mountains. So you can imagine how I felt this evening when Hanni handed me your letter with the words: ‘A love letter for you, Mr Renouf!’ Hanni has no idea about the sender or the content of course. But will you let Hanni’s description stand? I wouldn’t misconstrue it, this favour, which is all I ask. And I’m in need of it now, since my friends from Paris and England haven’t written today.

I spend too much time wistfully dreaming about things, about powers and circumstances and how they relate to life, other people, the world. I need something to wake me up, to focus the mind and bring my deeds up to speed. And so (weather permitting) I plan to get up at five tomorrow, to wake up, climb the Kellerjoch and get up to speed. From there I’ll look out into the distance, to Paris and to England, and I’ll try to resist the temptation to daydream about dearly beloved friends. Instead of daydreaming I’ll try to act with resolve, purpose and presence of mind until I’m so at one with the world that the ideal becomes real and dreams become reality. You’d be doing me a huge favour if you’d let me confide in you, if you’d listen and advise me on my romantic secrets with the same sympathy and understanding that’s inspired so much hope and courage in me. My gratitude towards you knows no bounds!

I have so much, so much to say. But I mustn’t keep writing with a nib that’s no looser than a boar’s tongue – I don’t want to test your patience!

Regards to [musical notation, pictograms]

Edl

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