Summary

In Chapter Thirty, Maria tells Peter she has come looking for her birth certificate, as her nationality is questioned every time she tries to cross the border. He takes her to the kitchen when she tells him she is hungry and leaves her there to eat. Peter contemplates what he should do. He tells her she may stay the night, an offer she accepts. Peter tries to sleep in his study, finally falling asleep in the early morning. He wakes to the sound of Maria playing the piano. He leaves for work without speaking to Maria. He tells Conseula to give Maria whatever she asks for. He returns after dark. Maria seems to think Peter wants to kill her, but all he really wants is for her to go away. She admits she has thought about killing him. He asks her to stay. She...