As soon as he awoke from his slumber, his first care was to look in a glass which was placed near him. Pleased to find that he had recovered his natural expression, he said to the physician:
“Come, there’s another one over! I feel as if I had slept well. Did I dream, doctor?”
“No,” replied the young man, but with some embarrassment at the falsehood he was telling.
“You don’t say that very frankly,” answered the baron. “Now, if I talked in my sleep, you must tell me exactly what I said. You know I insist upon it.”
“You only uttered disconnected words, without meaning. They did not indicate any distinct thoughts.”
“Then your prescriptions must really be having a good effect. The physician whom I employed formerly, used to tell me my dreams. They were strange enough—frightful! I seem to have none now but insignificant ones.”
“Are you not aware of it yourself, your lordship? Don’t you feel less fatigued on waking than formerly?”
“No, I can’t say that I do.”
“That will come in time.”
“I hope so! Now, doctor, you may leave me, if you please; you can go to bed. If I need you, I will send and have you waked up. I feel as if I could sleep a while longer. Send me my valet-de-chambre; I will try and get into bed.”