I walked about for nearly an hour without being able to shake off the prophetic melancholy that oppressed me.

Perceiving at last, on the edge of one of the avenues that traverse the forest, and under the dense shade of some beech-trees, a thick bed of moss, I stretched myself upon it, together with my remorse, and it was not long before I fell into a sound sleep.

Mon Dieu! why was it not the sleep of death?
I have no idea how long I had been asleep, when I was suddenly awakened by a certain concussion of the soil in my immediate vicinity; I jumped abruptly to my feet, and I saw, within five steps of me, on the road, a young lady on horseback.

My unexpected apparition had somewhat frightened the horse, who had shied with some violence.

The fair equestrian, who had not yet noticed me, was talking to him and trying to quiet him.