five o'clock
I wished for solitude that I might ask myself what had caused this agitation -- nothing of importance had occurred this day , no word of engagement for the future had been made , and yet my whole life wore a different aspect ... my usually calm heart was throbbing violently -- my mind always so uneasy was settled ; who had thus changed my fate ? ... A stranger ... and what had he done to merit this sudden preference ? He had picked up some flowers ... But this stranger wore on his brow the aureola of the dreamed-of ideal , his musical voice had the imperative accent of a master , and from the first moment he looked at me , there existed between us that mysterious affinity of fraternal instincts , that spontaneous alliance of two hearts suddenly mated , unfailing gratitude , irresistible sympathy , mutual echo , reciprocal exchange , quick appreciation , ardent and sublime harmony , that creates in one moment -- the poets are right -- that creates in one moment eternal love ! To restore my tranquillity , I sat down to write to you , but had not the courage to put my thoughts on paper , and I remained there all night , trembling and meditative , oppressed by this powerful emotion ; I did not think , I did not pray , I did not live ; I loved , and absorbed in loving , taking no note of time , I sat there till daybreak ; at five o'clock I heard a noise of rakes and scythes in the garden , and wishing to cool my hot eyes with a breath of fresh air , I descended to the terrace . Everybody was asleep in the château and all the blinds closed , but I opened the glass door leading into the garden , and after walking up and down the gravel-path , crossed the bridge over the brook , and went by way of the little thicket where I had rested yesterday ; I was led by some magnetic attraction to the covered spring ; I did not go up the poplar-walk , but took a little by-path seldom used by any one , and almost covered with grass ; I reached the spring , and suddenly ... before me ... I saw him ... Valentine ! ... he was there alone , ... sitting on the bench by the fountain , with his beautiful eyes fastened on the spot where he had seen me the day before ! And oh , the sad wistfulness of his look went straight to my heart !