Epilogue Summary

The narrator of the Prologue and Epilogue reflects on her deceased sister, Clara, and thinks that no one tells the young to be careful. The speaker is Ruth who overheard the conversation when Margarethe revealed her crime because she was crying over her burned hands. She had not expected Clara to defend her. Clara was pregnant with the prince's child and left to live at the Pruyn's. She promised to take care of her sisters and never asked about Margarethe again. She reflects on why she burned the painting and though she has several reasons, she is not sure of her ultimate motivation. Caspar married Iris and they painted together until she died. He still takes care of Ruth so he is not too lonely missing Iris.

Ruth tells how Iris lived a rich life, but was burdened by her fancies. She always...