een wise to look for my bureau, my
candles, my matches. It would have taken me at least two hours. It would
probably have taken me that long also to undress; and even then I might
not have succeeded. I gave it up.

"I only took my shoes off; I unbuttoned my waistcoat, which was choking
me, I loosened my trousers and went to sleep.

"This undoubtedly lasted for a long time. I was suddenly awakened by a
deep voice which was saying: 'What, you lazy girl, still in bed? It's ten
o'clock!'

"A woman's voice answered: 'Already! I was so tired yesterday.'

"In bewilderment I wondered what this dialogue meant. Where was I? What
had I done? My mind was wandering, still surrounded by a heavy fog. The
first voice continued: 'I'm going to raise your curtains.'

"I heard steps approaching me. Completely at a loss what to do, I sat up.
Then a hand was placed on my head. I started. The voice asked: 'Who is
there?' I took good care not to answer. A furious grasp seized me. I in
turn seized him, and a terrific struggle ensued. We were rolling around,
knocking over the furniture and crashing against the walls. A woman's
voice was shrieking: 'Help! help!'

"Servants, neighbors, frightened women crowded around us. The blinds were
open and the shades drawn. I was struggling with Colonel Dumoulin.

"I had slept beside his daughter's bed!

"When we were separated, I escaped to my room, dumbfounded. I locked
myself in and sat down with my feet on a chair, for my shoes had been
left in the young girl's room.

"I heard a great noise through the whole house, doors being opened and
closed, whisperings and rapid steps.

"After half an hour some one knocked on my door. I cried: 'Who is there?'
It was my uncle, the bridegroom's father. I opened the door:

"He was pale and furious, and he treated me harshly: 'You have behaved
like a scoundrel in my house, do you hear?' Then he added more gently
'But, you young fool, why the devil did you let yourself get caught at
ten o'clock in the morning? You go to sleep like a log in that room,
instead of leaving immediately--immediately after.'

"I exclaimed: 'But, uncle, I assure you that nothing occurred. I was
drunk and got into the wrong room.'

"He shrugged his shoulders! 'Don't talk nonsense.' I raised my hand,
exclaiming: 'I swear to you on my honor.' My uncle continued: 'Yes,
that's all right. It's your duty to say that.'

"I in turn grew angry and told him the whole unfortunate occurrence.