Part 4 Chapter 5 Summary

Amedee has a ruptured appendix; everyone is worried about his operation. Marie finds out that Emil was with him and thanks God it was Amedee and not Emil who is sick. She wishes he would have come to tell her himself. Not coming and confiding in her means he is truly gone. She walks alone by the pond where Emil shot the ducks. She considers and abandons the idea of suicide. She wants to live; even her pain is a treasure. That evening Alexandra has to tell Emil that Amedee died.

Part 4 Chapter 5 Analysis

The death of Amedee makes Marie thankful that Emil is still alive, as if there is some hope for their love. Emil reacts similarly in the next chapter.