INTRODUCTION.
We were at sea, about two o'clock in the morning, on a fine night, under a starry sky.
Yves stood beside me on the bridge, and we talked of the country, unknown to both, to which destiny was now carrying us.

As we were to cast anchor the next day, we enjoyed our anticipations, and made a thousand plans.
"For myself," I said, "I shall marry at once." "Ah!" said Yves, with the indifferent air of one whom nothing can surprise.
"Yes--I shall choose a little, creamy-skinned woman with black hair and cat's eyes.

She must be pretty and not much bigger than a doll.

You shall have a room in our house.

It will be a little paper house, in a green garden, deeply shaded.