“From her I went immediately to the theater because I wanted to meet Emil Boesen. (In time this gave rise to a story that I looked at my watch and asked her please to hurry if she had anything more to say, as I had to go to the theater). The act was finished. As I left the stalls the Councilor came from the first parterre and said: ‘May I speak with you?’ We went together to his home. She was desperate, he said: ‘It will be the death of her; she is completely in despair.’ I said: ‘I shall calm her down, but everything is settled.’ He said: ‘I am a proud man and find it hard to say, but please, I beg you— do not break off with her.’
He was indeed a fine man; he had shaken me. But I held my course. I had dinner with the family and spoke with her when I left.
The next morning I got a letter from him saying that she had not slept all night and that I must come and see her. I went, and tried to persuade her …
So we separated. I spent the nights crying in my bed but the days as usual, wittier and in better spirits than ever. It was necessary.”
Søren Kierkegaard