The scorpion

"The Scorpion" by Anna Elisabet Weirauch is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Myra Rudloff from a loveless, rule-bound childhood into a charged young adulthood, tracing her consuming attachments—first to a capricious governess and then to the formidable Olga Radó—against the strictures of bourgeois respectability. The book probes desire, jealousy, and pride, with the scorpion symbol evoking both self-protection and self-destruction. The opening of the novel introduces Myra through hearsay about thefts, lies, and a violent outburst, then shows how her father’s sheltered upbringing and Aunt Emily’s severity warp her longing for love. Myra falls painfully in love with her governess, Frieda, and, drawn into Frieda’s affair with a dubious ex-hussar, helps pawn family silver—scandal that ends the governess’s stay. Years later, Myra’s life ignites when she meets the magnetic Olga Radó; she orbits Olga’s moods, studies at her urging, befriends the gentle violinist Peterkin, and is transfixed by Olga’s emblematic scorpion cigarette case and talk of proud partings. After a sudden dismissal and Olga’s unexplained trip, postcards filter back via Peterkin; on Olga’s return, Myra resumes visits, steals a dunning letter in a jealous panic, secretly pays Olga’s debt by pawning her own things, and is sharply rebuked—only to be enlisted to pawn the scorpion case, which she cannot bring herself to do. As Olga drills her in languages (with Myra covertly channeling lesson money to her), Aunt Emily clamps down on Myra’s independence, a strained confrontation with her weak-willed father follows, and the section ends with Uncle George’s arrival and a foreboding “visit” planned about Myra.