"I adored her already, kissed her continually, and discovered that she was neither stupid, nor common, nor coarse as ordinary street-walkers are. I asked her for some details about her life, but she replied:
"'My little fellow, that is no business of yours!' Alas! an hour later....
"At last it was time to go to bed, and while I was clearing the table, which had been laid in front of the fire, she undressed herself quickly, and got in. My neighbors were making a terrible din, singing and laughing like lunatics, and so I said to myself:
"'I was quite right to go out and bring in this girl; I should never have been able to do any work.'
"At that moment, however, a deep groan made me look round, and I said:
"'What is the matter with you, my dear?'
"She did not reply, but continued to utter painful sighs, as if she were suffering horribly, and I continued:
"'Do you feel ill?' And suddenly she uttered a cry, a heartrending cry, and I rushed up to the bed, with a candle in my hand.
"Her face was distorted with pain, and she was wringing her hands, panting and uttering long, deep groans, which sounded like a rattle in the throat, and which are so painful to hear, and I asked her in consternation:
"'What is the matter with you? Do tell me what is the matter.'