After the pistol duel, silence reigns in the Kummerveldt house, Luise and Veit avoid each other. Both try in their own way to process the sibling conflict. Veit's wound is treated by Dr. Büchner, whom Veit threatens not to reveal the truth about the origin of the injury. Meanwhile, the new housemaid Karla begins her service. Veit feels drawn to her – in his position of power, an ominous coincidence for the young woman. Karla also arouses Luise's interest. Because Luise has a new task. Her male pseudonym has received a new letter from the publisher, which has turned out to be more benevolent, but also advises choosing more naturalistic themes as a basis for literature in the spirit of the zeitgeist.