“In 1889 I lived at Juatlahuaca, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. For a long time I passionately loved the woman who afterwards became my wife.
“At the beginning of 1890, through one of those unfortunate disagreements which occasionally arise between parents and their children, those of my beloved one, wishing to put an end to our mutual love, separated us by taking her to the mountains; but this only increased our love, because of the difficulties and our desire to see each other.
“Several months passed after our separation, and though the distance between us was not great, we had to take into account the vigilance with which she was surrounded, and which was a greater obstacle than the difficulties of the road.
“One night, when I was feeling, as usual, very sad and gloomy, the thought came to me to say to my servant: ‘Jeanette, if any morning you come into my room and do not find me, do not look for me; take the keys and open the shop. If at midday I have not arrived, you can seek for me in the mountains.’
“‘Ah, sir,’ she replied, ‘I would never oppose myself to your commands, if what you tell me did not concern persons whom I love and respect, because you will never thereby accomplish your object.’
“I knew that she was right, and I thought that the best thing I could do was to go to sleep and try to calm my imagination. She also retired, much distressed, and imploring all the saints, to whom she prayed, to prevent any unfortunate incident which would threaten the lives of three persons—my fiancée, her father, and myself.
“The following day I awoke with the same project in my mind, but before carrying it out I wished to inform my fiancée as to the day and hour at which I hoped to speak to her. She replied by showing me the rashness of my project, and offering to do all she could to overcome the obstacles which prevented her from returning to live in the town, which she hoped to do in a few days, and which came to pass as she had predicted. I reckoned, however, on my sagacity and youthful ardour to realise my project before my fiancée was able to return.
“One day, when my mind was indulging itself in all kinds of fancies, I thought it would be quite easy to elude the vigilance of all those who were around my fiancée, and who were opposed to our meeting. When night came on I continued to think of my project, and I resolved to lie down and try to sleep.
“I passed a very disturbed night, waking frequently, and when the day began to break, the servant came to my room to bid me ‘good morning,’ and to ask for the keys of the shop.
“‘How have you passed the night, sir?’ she asked.