t a second time we both knew that all was at an end
between us.

One reads of "tears of blood." During the few hours he spent in my house
I think we smiled "smiles of blood."

When we sat opposite to each other at table, we might have been sitting
each side a deathbed. We only attempted to speak when Jeanne was waiting
at table.

When we parted, he said:

"I feel like the worst of criminals!"

He has not committed a crime. He loved me once, now he no longer loves
me. That is all.

* * * * *

But after what has happened I cannot remain here. Everything will remind
me of my hours of joyful waiting; of my hours of failure and abasement.

Where can I go to hide my shame?

* * * * *

Richard....

* * * * *

Would that be too humiliating? Why should it be? Did I not give him my
promise: "If I should ever regret my resolution," I said to him.

* * * * *

I will write to him, but first I must gather up my strength again.
Jeanne goes long walks with me. We do not talk to each other, but it
comforts me to find her so faithful.

* * * * *

DEAR RICHARD,

It is a long time since I wrote to you, but neither have you been quite
so zealous a correspondent this summer, so it is tit for tat.

I often think of you, and wonder how you are really getting on in your
solitude. Whether you have been living in the country and going up to
town daily? Or if, like most of the "devoted husbands," you still only
run down to the cottage for week-ends?

If I were not absolutely free from jealousy, in any form, I should envy
you your new car. This neighbourhood is charming, but to explore it in a
hired carriage, lined with dirty velvet, does not attract me. Now, dear
friend, don't go and send off car and chauffeur post-haste to me. That
would be like your good nature. But, of course, I am only joking.

Send me all the news of the town. I read the papers diligently, but
there are items of interest which do not appear in the papers! Above
all, tell me how things are going with Lillie. Will she soon be coming
home? Do you think her conduct was much talked of outside her own
circle? People chatter, but they soon forget.

Homes for nervous cases are all very well in their way; but I think our
good Hermann Rothe went to extremes when he sent her to one. He is
furious with