#p. 187

‘In the summer of 1908 Pauline tried to kill herself with an overdose of laudanum, a derivative of opium. From there everything went swiftly downhill. By early 1909, her state of health was in crisis, involving amnesia, partial paralysis of her limps, dysentery, and problems with her eyes. Hélène took on the job of caring for her. She begged Pauline to see a doctor and to eat, but she refused to do so. Despite her ailments, she continued drinking, going out, and even traveled to London to visit her sister.’