Ever, and in spite of all, Silviane rose up before him, splashing him with mud.

In despair he tried to fix his mind on a great enterprise which he had been planning for months past, a Trans-Saharan railway, a colossal venture which would set millions of money at work, and revolutionise the trade of the world.

And yet Silviane appeared once more, and smacked him on both cheeks with her dainty little hand, which she had dipped in the gutter.
It was only towards daybreak that he at last dozed off, while vowing in a fury that he would never see her again, that he would spurn her, and order her away, even should she come and drag herself at his feet.
However, when he awoke at seven, still tired and aching, his first thought was for her, and he almost yielded to a fit of weakness.

The idea came to him to ascertain if she had returned home, and if so make his peace.

But he jumped out of bed, and after his ablutions he recovered all his bravery.