"'I hope, ma reine, you will help me bear my misfortune?'
"'Nous verrons.'
"And the two went off laughing; Leonora's silk dress struck me as she passed.
"My companion came back and put his hand on my shoulder.
"'I have learnt everything,' he said.
"'So have I,' I replied, raising my head.
"'How?'
"'She has told me all herself.'
"My friend thought I was delirious. 'Come,' he said, 'the heat has been too much for you.'
"You may imagine that I did not sleep much that night. I formed a thousand plans and rejected them again. Only one thing was certain: I must save Leonora from this hell. I did not doubt what was my duty for a moment.