Epilogue (February – November 1906)

Lichtenberg wrote: “Much can be inferred about a man from his mistress: in her one beholds his weaknesses and his dreams.” Louise revealed my dreams more than my weaknesses. The gossipers around the Court thought my weaknesses were women and frivolity. My dream was to do something worthwhile and to have female support in that activity. My wife was incapable of any portion of that.

Forster returned and was quite unhappy. He asked if there was a responsible individual with whom he might speak. I asked Josef to give him Louise’s address and telephone number.

The next day I was driven to the Central. Hofmannsthal was there discussing Greek tragedy with Wassermann. I gathered Hofmannsthal was re-writing his version of Sophocles for Strauss to set. I was silent.

“No comments?” asked Altenberg.

“Sorry. No. I find Sophocles too depressing, too bloody.”

“I agree,” Wassermann said. “Yet there is a deep truth in the plays.”

“That’s what Freud says, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Did you read his sex-studies? Did he see the Schnitzler or did Arthur read Freud?”

It was too empty for me. I soon excused myself and returned home. I began reading Wassermann’s stories about sisters, but it was too depressing. I didn’t need realism. Perhaps there was something lighter.

*

“Sir?”

“Yes, Josef?”

“There is a telephone call for you.”

“And?”

“It is Frau Anderson.”

“Ah.”

“She says she must speak with you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I think she is asking whether she can come here.”

“I see. Yes, whenever she wishes. Tressler visits, why not Louise?”

“I will tell her.”

Josef reported that she would be here before 16:00. I told him to make certain there was both coffee and tea as well as several sorts of sweets.

“I have spoken at length with Dr. Forster and he has been good enough to call upon me,” Louise began.

“That shows excellent taste on his part, my dear.”

“Otto! Don’t play the fool with me.”

“Very well. Sit down. Have some coffee or tea and some cake.”

“Your condition is grave.”

“I know. I told you that when we saw Witwe.”

“Would you be willing to remove, as Forster suggests, to a house in the suburbs?”

“Why not? You are the sole person who cares.”

“That’s not true. There is Josef, who is lurking somewhere.”

“You jest.”

“Josef! Come out! I know you can hear me. You wanted to overhear so you would know.”

He came. “I’m sorry, Madame. I did not wish to offend.”

“There was no offense, Josef. You have been with Otto for many years.”

“Nearly twenty. Since his 21^st birthday.”

“You have been a good servant, Josef. I will ensure a Lebensrente [annuity] for you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Otto. I want you to give me several thousand crowns.”

“Of course. Gold or paper money?”

“Paper. Gold would be too heavy. I will drive about tomorrow or the next day with a rental agent. I will certainly find a house in Nussdorf or Waehring. I will also need some furnishings. Josef, can you arrange for a cleaning woman, a cook and a serving girl?”

“Easily, Madame. Magda and Adele will come with me. And I will employ someone for the cleaning.”

“With you?” I reacted. “You go to far!”

“Don’t be silly, Otto. Of course Josef will accompany you. And I will play Martha of Bethany.”