Why is the narrator obsessed with Simone? Does love have anything to do with their relationship? Are these two drawn to each other for any reason other than sex?

Why does Simone become obsessed with Marcelle? Why does Simone force Marcelle to participate in the play she and the narrator are caught acting out? Why does the narrator insist on the party that results in Marcelle becoming emotionally damaged?

Why does Simone refuse to have intercourse with the narrator without Marcelle's participation? Does Simone care about Marcelle? Why does the couple rescue Marcelle from the sanitarium? Why does Marcelle believe the narrator is her husband?

Who is the cardinal? Why does Marcelle believe he is out to hurt her? What causes Marcelle to realize the narrator and the cardinal are the same person? Why does Marcelle kill herself?

Why does Simone allow the narrator...