Therefore, when I at last saw the town, I was quite sure that the count was there, and I got off my little donkey, and let him drink in the stream, while I myself drank a little higher up.

The road was dusty, and my donkey and I were thirsty.
I thought of all I would do, as I sat on the stone by the water and the beast cropped the wretched grass, and soon I came to the conclusion that I did not know in the least what I should do.

I had unexpectedly found what I wanted, very soon, and I was thankful enough to have been so lucky.

But I had not the first conception of what course I was to pursue when once I had made sure of the count.
Besides, it was barely possible that it was not he, after all, but another foreigner, with another daughter.

The thought frightened me, but I drove it away.