All his actions from the moment when he embraced Claire appeared before him.

He shuddered, and his hair was in a moment soaking with perspiration.
He had almost become an assassin.

The proof that he was restored to full possession of his faculties was, that a question of criminal law crossed his brain.
"The crime committed," said he to himself, "should I have been condemned?
Yes.

Was I responsible?
No.

Is crime merely the result of mental alienation?
Was I mad?
Or was I in that peculiar state of mind which usually precedes an illegal attempt?
Who can say?
Why have not all judges passed through an incomprehensible crisis such as mine?
But who would believe me, were I to recount my experience ?" Some days later, he was sufficiently recovered to tell his father all.
The old gentleman shrugged his shoulders, and assured him it was but a reminiscence of his delirium.
The good old man was moved at the story of his son's luckless wooing, without seeing therein, however, an irreparable misfortune.