Stine

Stine, a short novel or Novelle by Th. Fontane, written between 1881 and 1888. It was first published in the magazine Deutschland in 1890 (January/March) and appeared in book form in April 1890. Stine is the sister of Pauline Pittelkow, a youngish widow and energetic and downright character, who is kept by a Graf von Haldern and views her dubious social circumstances with homely realism. Stine, however, while on the best of terms with her sister, lives a virtuous life and earns her living by her needle. Pauline's lover arranges a party at her flat. Stine is present, and so is the Count's young nephew, Graf Waldemar, who is condemned to ill-health as a consequence of wounds received as a young officer in August 1870. He takes to Stine, visits her in the afternoons throughout the summer, spending the hours in conversation, and in the end decides to marry her. His uncle is greatly put out and demands Pauline's help in putting an end to the threatened mésalliance. But their intervention is not needed. Stine realizes only too clearly the social, educational, and financial factors which would harshly destroy their happiness in a permanent union. Waldemar, having lost his last hope, takes an overdose of sleeping powder. He is buried with pomp in the family vault. Stine, uninvited, attends his funeral and is subsequently ill with shock. Fontane leaves the outcome for her open.