cies, and yet Uncle Franz has
never gone raving mad. Dora says that Uncle Richard may go on living
for another 20 years, and that she is frightfully sorry for Aunt Dora
because she is tied to such a monster. Why tied? After all, he is in
an asylum and can't do her any harm. Dora didn't know about all this
before, Aunt only told her after Mother's death. Dora thinks it is
better not to marry at all, unless one is _madly in love_ with a man.
And then only by a _marriage contract!!_ In that case _that_ would be
excluded. But I always imagined a marriage contract was made because
of a dowry and money affairs generally; and never thought of its having
_such_ a purpose. Frau Mayer, whom we met in the summer holidays two
years ago, had married under such conditions. But it puzzles me, for if
_that_ is what men chiefly want when they marry, I don't see how any
man can be satisfied with a marriage contract. There must be a mistake
somewhere. Perhaps it is different among the Jews, for the Mayers were
Jews.

July 21st. No, I never should have thought that Hella would prove
to have been right in that matter. I got a letter 8 pages long from
Anneliese to-day. That time when Hella had to stay at home for five days
she believed that Anneliese would make fresh advances. But obviously she
was afraid. So now she has written to me: My own dear Rita! You are the
only friend of my life; wherever I go, all the girls and everybody likes
me, and only you have turned away from me in anger. What harm did I do
you -- -- --? After all, she did do me some harm; for there might have
been a fine row if it had not been for Frau Doktor M., that angel in
human form! She writes she is so lonely and so unhappy; she is with her
mother at the Gratsch Hydropathic near Meran or Bozen, I forget which, I
must look it up _if_ I answer her. For I gave my word of honour to Hella
that I would never forgive the "innocent child." But after all, to
write an answer is mere ordinary politeness, and is far from meaning
a reconciliation, and still less a friendship. She says that there are
absolutely no girls in Gratsch, only grown-up ladies and old gentlemen,
the youngest is 32! brr, I know I should find it deplorably dull myself.
So I really will write to her, but I shall be exceedingly reserved. She
finishes up with: Listen to the prayer of an unhappy girl and do not
harden your heart against one who has always loved you truly. That is
really very fine, and Anneliese