The old shoemaker drained a bottle, donned his Sunday clothes, and went off with his son.
I thought this a favourable opportunity and determined to improve it, considering that the night of the ball was too remote to suit my impatience.

I therefore managed to tell Bettina that I would leave ajar the door of my room, and that I would wait for her as soon as everyone in the house had gone to bed.

She promised to come.

She slept on the ground floor in a small closet divided only by a partition from her father's chamber; the doctor being away, I was alone in the large room.

The three boarders had their apartment in a different part of the house, and I had therefore no mishap to fear.