The Sisters

"The Sisters" is a short story by German author Georg Ebers. The story is set in Egypt and follows the lives of two sisters, Irene and Charmian, who are very close despite having vastly different personalities. Irene is described as being introverted and spiritual, while Charmian is outgoing and enjoys the pleasures of life. They live with their father, a well-known archaeologist, in a house on the banks of the Nile. The story begins with the arrival of a young painter, Philippus, who has come to Egypt to paint the scenery. He becomes infatuated with Charmian, but she is more interested in his paintings than in him. Over time, Philippus becomes more and more enamored with Charmian, while Irene becomes increasingly ill. When Charmian finally realizes that she has feelings for Philippus, it is too late, as he has already fallen in love with Irene. The story ends tragically, with Irene's death and Philippus's departure from Egypt. Overall, "The Sisters" is a poignant tale of love and loss, with vivid descriptions of life in Egypt in the late 19th century. Ebers' writing style is elegant and lyrical, and he portrays the characters with depth and sensitivity.