"I did not go in to breakfast. I went to take a turn on the edge of the
cliff, feeling that I would just as lief weep as laugh, looking on the
adventure as both comic and deplorable and my position as ridiculous,
believing her unhappy enough to go insane.

"I asked myself what I ought to do. It seemed best for me to leave the
place, and I immediately resolved to do so.

"Somewhat sad and perplexed, I wandered about until dinner time and
entered the farmhouse just when the soup had been served up.

"I sat down at the table as usual. Miss Harriet was there, eating away
solemnly, without speaking to any one, without even lifting her eyes. Her
manner and expression were, however, the same as usual.

"I waited patiently till the meal had been finished, when, turning toward
the landlady, I said: 'Well, Madame Lecacheur, it will not be long now
before I shall have to take my leave of you.'

"The good woman, at once surprised and troubled, replied in her drawling
voice: 'My dear sir, what is it you say? You are going to leave us after
I have become so accustomed to you?'

"I glanced at Miss Harriet out of the corner of my eye. Her countenance
did not change in the least. But Celeste, the little servant, looked up
at me. She was a fat girl, of about eighteen years of age, rosy, fresh,
as strong as a horse, and possessing the rare attribute of cleanliness. I
had kissed her at odd times in out-of-the-way corners, after the manner
of travellers--nothing more.