IV.

Our life together became continually more intolerable, and yet we could not bear to be away from one another a single hour. A terrible fate chained us together, and threw us into the maelstrom of this furious impulse, irresistible in its elemental force. To tear ourselves apart was rendered impossible by the fetters that chained us together.

Continually more frightful, continually more insane, became our scenes, and the love-eruptions which broke out from time to time.

(After mutual spiritual torments, becoming ever worse and worse, K. begs his beloved to procure abortion!)

She wept quietly, then kissed me and went out....

The key grated in the lock....

“Mascha! Mascha! For God’s sake! Mascha! What are you going to do?...”

I shook the door like a madman.... It would not give way.... I tore open the window.... “Help! Help!”... The door was burst open.... Break open Mascha’s door!... It was quickly forced.... She lies there.... Dead.... Poison....