But he could not cease to think of her whom he no longer saw; his heart beat as if to burst, when in the street he perceived the silhouette of a woman which reminded him of his friend.
At last he was incapable of containing himself any longer; one evening he stationed himself behind the door. After a few minutes there was a knock; he opened the door; it was only the little maid:
"My mistress is in tears; why do you never open the door? I come every evening. If you will follow me, perhaps she will forgive you."
The-peaceful, blinded by love, started at once, walking by the light of the white lantern.
The next day the neighbours, seeing that the student's door was open, and that his house was empty, made a declaration to the governor of the town.
The police made an inquest; they collected the evidence of several people who had been watching the nightly visitors the student had received. The bonze of the temple outside the city walls came to say what he knew. The chief of the police went to the road leading to the lake; he crossed the threshold of the little edifice, passed the first yard and at last opened the door of the pavilion.
Everything was in order, but under the lid of the heavy coffin one could see the corner of the long green dress of the student.
In order to do away with evil influences there was a solemn funeral.