Chapters 29-33 Summary

While the seconds deal with the authorities, Innstetten takes the train back to Berlin. He imagines Crampas chiding him for being a stickler and agrees. He should have burned the letters, divorced Effi emotionally, but kept her at his side. In the morning, Innstetten reports the incident to his gracious chief and comes home to be shaken by Wüllersdorf's note about Gieshübler's tears and the terrible scene at the Major's house. He writes letters, which he asks Johanna to post, adding that Effi will not return and asking her, in good time, to break the news to Annie. She must not let Roswitha "ruin things." Johanna is proud to enjoy the Master's confidence until Roswitha shows her the newspaper's brief report of a duel over a Ministerial rat's beautiful, young wife. Roswitha feels sorry for Effi and the Major...