Chapters XXII & XXIII Summary

Clara makes her way towards her house, passing the family graveyard on the way. She hastens past, unable to view the graves. She enters her house and retrieves the diary. Everything that had transpired in her room floods her mind and she sinks down upon her bed, cursing Carwin. Filled with despair, Clara resolves to kill herself, but before she can do so, Carwin enters her chamber. The shock causes Clara to faint and she awakes upon her bed with Carwin seated on the floor, head buried in his hands.

Clara begs him to leave. He says that he will, but wants to understand what he has done to incur her curses. Clara accuses him of driving Wieland to madness and causing the death of his family. Carwin denies knowledge of Wieland's madness and of the killings. Clara bids...