I was received, however, probably through some mistake of the servants.

As I entered the room I saw Madame de Bergenheim; she was alone at her embroidery, seated upon a divan.

There were several vases of flowers in the windows, whose curtains only permitted a soft, mysterious light to penetrate the room.
The perfume from the flowers, the sort of obscurity, the solitude in which I found her, overcame me for a moment; I was obliged to pause in order to quiet the beating of my heart.
"She arose as she heard my name announced; without speaking or laying down her work, she pointed to a chair and seated herself; but instead of obeying her, I fell upon my knees before her and seized her hands, which she did not withdraw.

It had been impossible for me to say another word to her before, save 'I love you!' I now told her of all my love.

Oh! I am sure of it, my words penetrated to the very depth of her heart, for I felt her hands tremble as they left mine.