“I knew that she was right, and I thought that the best thing I could do was to go to sleep and try to calm my imagination. She also retired, much distressed, and imploring all the saints, to whom she prayed, to prevent any unfortunate incident which would threaten the lives of three persons—my _fiancée_, her father, and myself. “The following day I awoke with the same project in my mind, but before carrying it out I wished to inform my _fiancée_ as to the day and hour at which I hoped to speak to her. She replied by showing me the rashness of my project, and offering to do all she could to overcome the obstacles which prevented her from returning to live in the town, which she hoped to do in a few days, and which came to pass as she had predicted. I reckoned, however, on my sagacity and youthful ardour to realise my project before my _fiancée_ was able to return. “One day, when my mind was indulging itself in all kinds of fancies, I thought it would be quite easy to elude the vigilance of all those who were around my _fiancée_, and who were opposed to our meeting. When night came on I continued to think of my project, and I resolved to lie down and try to sleep. “I passed a very disturbed night, waking frequently, and when the day began to break, the servant came to my room to bid me ‘good morning,’ and to ask for the keys of the shop. “‘How have you passed the night, sir?’ she asked. “‘Rather badly, Jeanette. I have dreamed continually, and it is impossible for me to give you an idea of all the dangers and precipices which I thought I overcame and crossed; it seems to me that I went over the mountain road which leads to the farm, but it was a very different road. I dreamed that our interview was prevented, I do not know how, and that I had a long walk home again. What can it all mean?’ “‘It is only the result of your wishes and preoccupation in regard to the young lady. She will soon return, and then these follies will disappear.’ “I very soon forgot all about what I have just described, and so did my servant, for neither of us attached any importance to a dream; but, after a short time, a messenger from the farm handed me a letter, in which my _fiancée_ reproached me for my violence, my bad conduct and disobedience in going there in defiance of the commands and wishes of her father. “‘What? I? No. Never! Tell your mistress that, although I have thought of going to see her, I have never carried out my desires; if I have not done so, it has not been through lack of courage and will on my part, but only because of my desire to please her and not to oppose her wishes.’ “‘But we saw you.’ “‘Me?’ “‘Yes, sir—you.’ “‘You are telling an untruth. I have not been out. My servant can corroborate that; and, further, I have nothing to lose by telling the truth.’