Imagine what an influence these mysterious facts already exercised over me, when I say that I promised everything, and, like a submissive child, took the communion with fervour.
From that day forth the benevolence of the unknown was extended over every one and every thing, from the household to the house needs. His solicitude, for the somnambulist especially, drove him sometimes to charge me with delicate missions, of which I will give an example.
I had once just put Marie to sleep, when the spirit manifested itself, saying:—
‘I am going to speak to you about some of the private affairs of the somnambulist, and I beg you to follow my instructions.
‘This girl thinks of marrying a carpenter, named Toussaint, who has been following her about for a long time. But Marie’s parents, who are honest folk, will never consent to this marriage. First of all, because Toussaint is a worthless fellow, and in the second place, because Toussaint’s brother was condemned yesterday to pay an ignominious penalty for a foul crime he has committed.
‘Therefore, Marie must cease to know this young man; moreover, his jealous and violent character might soon endanger her life.
‘Marie is ignorant of these details. Therefore, when she awakens, take care not to repeat our conversation; but to-morrow, when returning from Bordeaux, tell her about this as though it were some news you had heard of in town.
‘Marie will deny everything, first of all; she will pretend not to know the individual; but insist upon it, and she will confess everything.’
And this, in fact, is what happened.