The Intruder
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The Intruder is a story of the dandy Tullio Hermil, unfaithful to his patient and loving wife, Giuliana. Tullio is a Nietzschean superman. He is handsome, intelligent, and powerful. Also, he believes himself to be superior to other men and beyond the reach of their judgment. Therefore, he ignores the feelings of others, not to mention his own wife. Yet, at some point, growing weary of his debauchery, Tullio decides to attempt a reconciliation with his wife. Giuliana is patient and loving and forgives his husband's sins. In a single weak moment, Juliana has succumbed to another man's advances and has gotten pregnant. As Tullio learns about that, he gets furious. When the baby (the Intruder) is born, Tullio starts thinking of a horrible crime. Yet, he must find the courage to commit it.
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Gabriele D'Annunzio
A Novel of Love and Treachery
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Alas! in this difficult debate, a grievous instinct inclined me to consider my own comfort more than hers. And without the least doubt I should have chosen the method of the sudden departure and the explanatory letter, if I had not been prevented from doing so out of regard for my mother. It was absolutely necessary to spare my mother, always, at any cost. This time, too, I could not rid myself of the inner sarcasm: "At any cost. What generosity! But it is very easy for you to return to the old conventions, and, further, very safe. This time, also, if you exact it, the victim will endeavor to smile, while she feels she is dying. Count on her, therefore, and do not concern yourself about the rest, O generous heart!"
At times, truly, man finds a singular joy in feeling a sincere and supreme contempt for himself.
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