However, he had not yet reached the age when the fixed idea plants itself in a man's mind.

In the morning, after he had dipped his head in a bucket of water, he remembered his thoughts and visions of the night but vaguely; nothing remained of his dreams save a childlike innocence, full of trustful confidence and yearning tenderness.

He felt like a child again.

He ran to the well, solely desirous of meeting his sweetheart's smile, and tasting the delights of the radiant morning.

And during the day, when thoughts of the future sometimes made him silent and dreamy, he would often, prompted by some sudden impulse, spring up and kiss aunt Dide on both cheeks, whereat the old woman would gaze at him anxiously, perturbed at seeing his eyes so bright, and gleaming with a joy which she thought she could divine.
At last, as time went on, Miette and Silvere began to tire of only seeing each other's reflection.