It looked out on the Arno; the noise of the river came in at the open window; he felt like dressing and going down into the streets.

Toward morning he flung himself into a chair; though he was wide awake he was less excited.

It seemed to him that he saw his idea from the outside, that he judged it and condemned it; yet it stood there before him, distinct, and in a certain way imperious.

During the day he tried to banish it and forget it; but it fascinated, haunted, at moments frightened him.

He tried to amuse himself, paid visits, resorted to several rather violent devices for diverting his thoughts.