صفحة 208 من 483

"My thoughts now became more active, and I longed to discover the

motives and feelings of these lovely creatures; I was inquisitive

to know why Felix appeared so miserable and Agatha so sad. I

thought (foolish wretch!) that it might be in my power to restore

happiness to these deserving people. When I slept or was absent,

the forms of the venerable blind father, the gentle Agatha, and

the excellent Felix flitted before me. I looked upon them as

superior beings who would be the arbiters of my future destiny. I

formed in my imagination a thousand pictures of presenting myself

to them, and their reception of me. I imagined that they would be

disgusted, until, by my gentle demeanour and conciliating words,

I should first win their favour and afterwards their love.