[4][5] Renee, an intellectually gifted mathematician and professor, inadvertently proves arithmetic inconsistent.
The discovery causes her great mental anguish, as she can no longer find mathematics intuitively meaningful.
The stress of her discovery eventually drives Renee to attempt suicide, which Carl prevents.
While Renee recovers in a psychiatric ward, Carl realizes he has fallen out of love with her and resolves to end their relationship.
The story ends mid-conversation, wherein a grateful Renee, recently released from the ward, attempts to explain her breakdown to a somber Carl.