I had not dreamed. I had, indeed, seen the butterfly of the night; I had seen the man hanging, and I had seen Fledermausse.
That day Toubac made me a visit, and, as his great nose appeared on a level with the floor, he exclaimed:
"Master Christian, have you nothing to sell?"
I did not hear him. I was seated upon my one chair, my hands clasped upon my knees, and my eyes fixed before me.
Toubac, surprised at my inattention, repeated in a louder voice:
"Master Christian, Master Christian!" Then, striding over the sill, he advanced and struck me on the shoulder.
"Well, well, what is the matter now?"
"Ah, is that you, Toubac?"
"Eh, parbleu! I rather think so; are you ill?"
"No, I am only thinking."