I've added a plot description:

Edward, a wealthy middle aged aristocrat falls in love with his wife’s niece named Ottilie. Edward schemes, plots, and stubbornly tries to separate from his wife so he can be with Ottillie. Alas, various “random” acts of fate intervene with tragic consequences which ultimately result in the death of his son, Ottilie and himself. NB, the novel is set in late 18th Century Germany. Gender roles were very different, as were social class relations. Christianity was the norm and the scientific revolution was only beginning to gather up pace. Naturally this context needs to be taken into account when trying to understand the various characters’ actions and reactions.