After the performance at the Academy of Music, Karolina and her friends returned home. Anna excused herself and retired to bed for the evening. She had grown tired meeting so many of Frederick’s clients during breaks in the performance and so Frederick joined her before going to bed. Karolina and Johannes sat by the fireplace. It was fast becoming cooler in the early autumn and Karolina draped a soft blanket around her shoulders. Johannes sat next to her and stared into the burning embers of the fire. They sat silently for several moments until Karolina spotted the envelope she left on the table next to her chair. “Oh my, it is a letter from my husband. I wonder what he wants.” As she feigned surprise and showing the letter to Johannes. The letter was the same one she received from Stanislaus arrived earlier that day as Frederick had found it on the floor in the foyer …show more content…
“I understand, Karolina. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t want you to leave. I have always loved you and will never forgive myself for driving you away from me, so many years ago in Baden.” He pleaded for her to stay but then realized she had already made up her mind to leave. He struggled to regain his composure and he bowed and said to her “Alright, we can still continue to be friends if you wish. I only hope the best for you and your family in Ohio. Good night” and turned to leave. Karolina looked after him with sadness while he gathered his overcoat and other belongings. He looked at her once more hoping to always remember the image of the beautiful woman before he left the room. She went quickly out of the room after he left and went to her bedroom with tears in her eyes while she changed for bed. She sat down at a small desk and lit a candle to write a brief letter to Stanislaus informing him she was returning home to Delphos as soon as possible. She looked forward to being with him and the rest of her family to celebrate