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 hestitations, I related the events of the last few days to Rudolf. I could no longer keep to myself the mystery that was disturbing me. His face darkened, he screamed, he accused me of lying, and at last he burst forth with unrestrained jealousy. He cried out that it was all boasting, arrant boasting, running about with his hands in the air. Extraterritoriality! Maximilian! Mexico! Ha, ha! Cotton plantations! Enough! It was over. And he did not intend to lend his stamp album for such mischief any longer. End of partnership. Termination of contract. He tugged his hair in agitation. He was at the end of his tether, and immovable on every point.
Greatly alarmed, I began to explain the matter, 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 the end, I undertook to demonstrate on the basis of the stamp album that the whole affair, every word, was true.
Somewhat calmed, he spread open 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 his accusations, I dispelled all of his doubts. But going even further, I reached such simply sensational conclusions that even I was dazzled at the perspectives that opened up. Rudolf fell silent, defeated. There was no more talk of a dissolution of our partnership.
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