Spring: -I- -II- -III-
The Stamp Album: -IV- -V- -VI- -VII- -VIII- -IX- -X- -XI- -XII-
In the Municipal Park: -XIII- -XIV- -XV- -XVI-
Springtime Twilight: -XVII-
The Villa: -XVIII- -XIX- -XX- -XXI- -XXII- -XXIII- -XXIV- -XXV- -XXVI- -XXVII-
Bianka’s Lineage: -XXVIII- -XXIX- (XXX) -XXXI- -XXXII- -XXXIII-
Hiatus: -XXXIV- -XXXV- -XXXVI- -XXXVII-
Finale: -XXXVIII- -XXXIX- -XL-
XXX
AFTER lengthy hesitations, I related the events of the last few days to Rudolf. I could no longer keep to myself the mystery swelling within me. His face darkened; he screamed; he accused me of lying, and at last he burst forth with unrestrained jealousy. It is all boasting, arrant boasting, he cried, running about with upraised hands. Extraterritoriality! Maximilian! Mexico! Ha, ha! Cotton plantations! Enough of that, it is over, and do not think any more to use his stamp album for such mischief. End of partnership. Termination of contract. He tugged at his hair in agitation. He was at the end of his tether, decided on everything.
Greatly alarmed, I began to explain things to him, reassuring him. I admitted that, on the face of it, the affair really was improbable, frankly incredible. I had found it hard to believe myself, I admitted. No wonder that it was difficult for him, unprepared, to accept it all straight away. I appealed to his heart and his honour. Could he reconcile with his conscience refusing me his assistance now, wrecking things by withdrawing his participation, just as the affair was reaching its decisive stage? In conclusion, I undertook to demonstrate on the basis of the stamp album that the whole affair, every word, was true.
Somewhat calmed, he opened the album. Never had I spoken with such volubility and fire; I outdid myself. Arguing on the basis of the stamps, I not only repulsed all accusations, I dispelled all doubts; but, going beyond that, I came to such blatantly revelatory conclusions that I even dazzled myself with the perspectives that opened up. Rudolf fell silent, defeated, and there was no more talk of a dissolution of our partnership.
> -XXXI >