To poison them both seemed to me but a trifle in that terrible moment of bitter misery.

This project gave way to another as extravagant, as cowardly-namely, to go at once to her brother and disclose everything to him.

I was twelve years of age, and my mind had not yet acquired sufficient coolness to mature schemes of heroic revenge, which are produced by false feelings of honour; this was only my apprenticeship in such adventures.
I was in that state of mind when suddenly I heard outside of my door the gruff voice of Bettina's mother, who begged me to come down, adding that her daughter was dying.

As I would have been very sorry if she had departed this life before she could feel the effects of my revenge, I got up hurriedly and went downstairs.

I found Bettina lying in her father's bed writhing with fearful convulsions, and surrounded by the whole family.