He saw Ada in various transformations--now seated opposite to him at
the table--then in the drawing-room--anon clasped in his
arms--sometimes brightly illuminated as the queen of the
ball-room--sometimes a faint, dark vision against the sombre background
of the woodland--he inhaled her favourite perfume, felt the touch of
her arms and her lips--he heard her voice and the melancholy music of
the night watchman and the notes of the dancing tune from the ballroom,
and amid these exciting delusions of the senses a restless,
dream-haunted slumber at last overtook him.
* * * * * *
It was almost noon when he awoke. At first his head felt confused and
empty, but gradually he collected his thoughts, and now the experience
of the previous night again stood clearly before his eyes. He suddenly
recalled all his feelings during the walk through the woods, and, while
dressing with the utmost haste, he exultingly repeated in a low tone
again and again: "I love her! And she returns my love! And we will
never part."
His first thought was to seek Ada.
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