He sees clearly the path he must choose, resigning to the situation. He has promised the mother that he will not see the girl again. His love for her keeps him alive.
Ich sehe deutlich den Pfad den ich wandeln soll – bin ganz demüthig – resignirt leiste Verzicht. Habe der Mutter[a] im Innern versprochen sie nicht früher wiederzusehen – bis das erloschen, — was mich jetzt belebt und athmen macht[b] –
– Brief moderat – antiexaltirt keinen Pitzel keine Reprochen –
[a] Countess Sophie Josephine Fürstenberg, wife of Prince János of Liechtenstein (1776–1848), the mother of Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein (1798–1869), wife of Count Vince Esterházy (1781–1835). See his conversation with her mother: SzIN 2. 352.
[b] Princess Henriett Liechtenstein (1806–1886), later married to Count József Hunyady (1801–1869). For more about Széchenyi’s love for Henriett Liechtenstein: SzIN 2. XLI–LXI.
Recommended reference:
István Széchenyi to Countess Vince Esterházy, Cenk, 11 April 1823.Edited and annotated by Szilvia Czinege. Published in Correspondence of István Széchenyi. Digital edition. Edited by Szilvia Czinege and Zoltán Fónagy. https://szechenyilevelezes.abtk.hu/ Abbreviation for further references: SzIL-Digit.