Chapters 10-12 Summary

Albert moves in with Margot, who is cold about Paul's irate visit earlier. While Margot shops, Albert wonders why he is so calm, regrets Elisabeth swooning and shouting, wonders what Irma is hearing, and vows to kill himself if his beloved wife dies. He writes floridly and tearfully, begging Elisabeth's forgiveness, but gets no reply. Margot makes love whenever he wants, with abandon, knowing she cannot be pregnant. Albert teaches Margot to bathe daily and paint her nails. He rarely leaves the house or lets Margot go out. He tells about his childhood, about restoring paintings, and about the trench warfare, quickly boring her. He puts up with the "chamber of horrors" in which they live; Margot is just waiting to move into his luxurious flat.

One day in July, Otto, backed by Kaspar and Kurt, stops Margot on the street...