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STRAIT IS THE GATE 220


to-day he will come. I feel it! I know it! I should like to proclaim it aloud to the world. I feel I must write it here. I cannot hide my joy any longer. Even Robert, who is usually so inattentive and indifferent to what concerns me, noticed it. His questions embarrassed me and I did not know what to answer. How shall I be able to wait till this evening? ... Some kind of strange transparent bandage over my eyes seems to show me his image everywhere his image magnified, and all love's rays are concentrated on a single burning spot in my heart. Oh! how this waiting tires me! Lord, unclose for me one moment the wide gateways of gladness.


3rd October. All is over. Alas! he has slipped out of my arms like a shadow. He was here! He was here! I feel him still. I call him. My hands, my lips seek him in vain in the night...


I can neither pray nor sleep. I went out again into the dark garden. I was afraid - in my room - everywhere in the house I was afraid. My anguish brought me once more to the door behind which I had left him. I opened it with a

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