diff --git a/spec.txt b/spec.txt
@@ -4525,6 +4525,24 @@ __foo _bar_ baz__
<p><strong>foo <em>bar</em> baz</strong></p>
.
+But note:
+
+.
+*foo**bar**baz*
+.
+<p><em>foo</em><em>bar</em><em>baz</em></p>
+.
+
+.
+**foo*bar*baz**
+.
+<p><em><em>foo</em>bar</em>baz**</p>
+.
+
+The difference is that in the two preceding cases,
+the internal delimiters [can close emphasis](#can-close-emphasis),
+while in the cases with spaces, they cannot.
+
Note that you cannot nest emphasis directly inside emphasis
using the same delimeter, or strong emphasis directly inside
strong emphasis:
@@ -4606,7 +4624,7 @@ However, a string of four or more `****` can never close emphasis:
<p>*foo****</p>
.
-Note that there are some asymmetries here:
+We retain symmetry in these cases:
.
*foo**
@@ -4614,7 +4632,7 @@ Note that there are some asymmetries here:
**foo*
.
<p><em>foo</em>*</p>
-<p>**foo*</p>
+<p>*<em>foo</em></p>
.
.
@@ -4637,7 +4655,7 @@ More cases with mismatched delimiters:
.
***foo*
.
-<p>***foo*</p>
+<p>**<em>foo</em></p>
.
.
@@ -4649,7 +4667,7 @@ More cases with mismatched delimiters:
.
***foo**
.
-<p>***foo**</p>
+<p>*<strong>foo</strong></p>
.
.