Every word she said cut his heart like a knife and caused him great pain. He wanted to comfort her in some way, and he took her hand and pressed it warmly. But Lotte pulled her hand away. The brilliantly illuminated café terrace appeared before them again. Lotte was trembling convulsively, but she controlled herself with a tremendous effort. She took her purse from Dr Astel and fished out a handkerchief. Under the pretext of blowing her nose she stealthily wiped her eyes. No one spoke.

After a moment, when they had reached the Cobenzl Café-Restaurant, Dr Astel glanced at his watch. He said in a whisper, as if he were afraid of waking someone from their sleep, ‘It’s only a quarter past ten. If you like, we can go in here and have something to drink. We’ve still got plenty of time.’

‘Good!’ said Lotte, her voice quite different now. ‘I’m thirsty.’

When they sat down next to the balustrade, Gurdweill found himself opposite Lotte, and he saw that her face was even paler than before and her eyes were burning feverishly. Lotte wanted beer and they ordered three glasses and cigarettes. She drank about a third of her glass and pushed it to the middle of the table. Then she said with a faint smile: ‘Why don’t you say anything?’