Louis Couperus

“ Silence filled the room: a cold, lonely, wintry, silence, with not a sound but that of the flaring gas. From the faded characters of the frayed, yellow letter, torn in part, rose hatred, passion, mad jubilation, mad agony of love and remorse for a night of blood, an Indian mountain night, clattering with torrents of rain. ”

“ He's the husband of Mamma ... who comes into money too ... with you ..."
"Mamma?" asked Lot.
"Yes," said Aunt Adèle, a little embarrassed.
They understood and asked no more questions, but it was obvious that they were out of harmony; their features looked both tired and hard.
"Mamma is coming this evening to see you," said Aunt Adèle.
Elly shook her head:
"I'm dead-tired," she said. "I can't see Mamma this evening. I'm going up to bed, Auntie."
"I'll see Mamma," said Lot.
Elly rose quickly and went upstairs. Aunt Adèle followed her; and Lot went to another room to change his things. ”

“ Elly undressed and got into bed.
"I'll leave you to yourself, dear...."
But Elly took her hand, with a sudden tenderness for the woman who had been a mother to her:
"Stay a little longer, Auntie ... until Mamma comes."
"Dear," said Aunt Adèle, feeling her way, "you're not put out, are you, because Mamma inherits her share too. She's his daughter, you know...."
"Yes, Auntie, I know that. No, Auntie, really I'm not put out at that. I'm only tired, very tired ... because everything that we set ourselves to do ... seems useless...."
"Darling," said Aunt Adèle, only half hearing, "I also ... ”