Page:Edward Prime-Stevenson - The Intersexes.djvu/620

 intstead of verbal discussions. The letters of the mysterious Edward are remarkably dignified, well-expressed, manly epistles; but all are reserved as to statements why he had concluded that the intimacy was 'not best;' in excusing his sudden relapse to a "cold" attitude'again; Through his letters, we read how thorough had been his similisexual surrender to Platen's passion. He observes that he feels that they have misunderstood each other, and are really not suited, after all, to be intimate friends. They must part! "It is best for us," writes Eduard, "our two hearts will never fully understand each other, and I am truly sorry that I have found you one with whom I cannot as a friend get into harmony, though you have my esteem and respect in the highest degree." And now comes a pertinent, abrupt fact. A few days later than this letter, when the two were over at Kottendorf together, (Aug. 22-23) Schmidtlein confessed to Platen that he was wholly indifferent to women sexually, and was miserable because of this conviction; evidently hoping and resolving to change his nature. Of course, this rather explains Schmidtlein's conduct, both before and after this confession. Troubled by conscientious qualms or other obstacles, he would not give up the inward battle, any more than will many an Uranian today: and finding Platen to be so "like himself," recognizing Platen's uranistic nature, little by little, from the first moments, Schmidtlein had been unwilling to begin their friendship, and now was resolved to interrupt it. Schmidtlein's instincts—and Platen's passion—had betrayed Eduard farther than he had expected. At least these aspects are strongly hinted. But Eduard denied in this Rottendorf interview a physical inclination for his own sex, while also denying most positively that that he was inclined to intercourse with women. Altogether, Eduard appears to have been in a most unhappy, fairly sincere trouble of mind about himself, sexually; and sorry that he had "surrendered." Besides this, there seems to