Beloved and
only J[osephine],
However
great my sole desire maybe to see you, yet I cannot do so owing
to many things which are keeping me busy -- Do me the kindness,
dear J[osephine], to write to your brother and ask him 'to
send me here as quickly as possible the quartets which I have
composed'. [Opus 59] In spite of all my searching I can't find
the score; and therefore they cannot be copied for Clementi
-- My copyist will have copied them in four days at latest, and
then your brother, to whom I give my word of honour about this,
will have them back at once -- All good wishes, beloved, dear
J[osephine] test - I am not well -- and feel even worse because
I was unable to see you either yesterday or today.
Your
faithful
Beethoven