Page 198 sur 483

"They were not entirely happy. The young man and his companion

often went apart and appeared to weep. I saw no cause for their

unhappiness, but I was deeply affected by it. If such lovely

creatures were miserable, it was less strange that I, an

imperfect and solitary being, should be wretched. Yet why were

these gentle beings unhappy? They possessed a delightful house

(for such it was in my eyes) and every luxury; they had a fire to

warm them when chill and delicious viands when hungry; they were

dressed in excellent clothes; and, still more, they enjoyed one

another's company and speech, interchanging each day looks of

affection and kindness. What did their tears imply? Did they

really express pain? I was at first unable to solve these

questions, but perpetual attention and time explained to me many

appearances which were at first enigmatic.