The Count's warning came into my mind, but I took pleasure in disobeying it.

The sense of sleep was upon me, and with it the obstinacy which sleep brings as outrider.

The soft moonlight soothed, and the wide expanse without gave a sense of freedom which refreshed me.

I determined not to return tonight to the gloom-haunted rooms, but to sleep here, where, of old, ladies had sat and sung and lived sweet lives whilst their gentle breasts were sad for their menfolk away in the midst of remorseless wars.

I drew a great couch out of its place near the corner, so that as I lay, I could look at the lovely view to east and south, and unthinking of and uncaring for the dust, composed myself for sleep.